It's -10°C outside but warming up nicely in here. Red Bull Racing is based in Milton Keynes but in launching its 2023 Formula One contender in Manhattan, several important things are at play. Firstly, Fl is now officially a big deal in North America. There will be three races in 2023: in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas. All those years that former supremo and walking controversy magnet Bernie Ecclestone tried and failed to crack the world's biggest sports market, turns out all he needed was a global streaming platform and a clever TV show. Secondly, Ford is back in F1, and will today announce a technical partnership with the reigning world champions, to commence when the new rules and regulations come into force in 2026. Did anyone see that coming?
It's difficult to remember a time before Netflix's Drive to Survive, and it's tempting to assume that the new generation of fans isn't bothered by whose name is on the side of a car. But anyone who knows their history will be acutely aware of the legacy Ford has in top tier motorsport. The stats are impressive in isolation but only tell a fragment of the story: between 1967 and 1983, Ford DFV-powered cars scored 155 Grands Prix wins, propelled 12 drivers to championship titles, and racked up 10 constructors' championships. This makes the Blue Oval the third most successful engine constructor in F1 history, with only Mercedes and Ferrari ahead. Not bad given that it's been absent for 20 years.
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Top Gear.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Top Gear.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO SAAB
From greatest hits to lowest moments, everything you ever wanted to know... and a fair bit you didn’t
BEHIND CLOSED JOORS
A new book gets unfiltered access to BMW Design’s cutting room floor. These are the projects that could have been...
THE LAST OF US
The Audi R8 is no more. TG was there to witness the final build, and we couldn't help but get involved...
GRAND DESIGNS
CEO RJ Scaringe is ready to take Rivian from plucky EV startup to global powerhouse... we meet the man and the new models his master plan relies on
SOUND OF THE UNDER GROUND
Stig's secret subterranean lair is the perfect place to make a lot of noise. And that's exactly what we've done. Welcome to TopGear Tunnel Run
The big test: small electric SUVs
Things are looking bright with the arrival of the latest electric Volvo but the existing crop of electric crossovers has something to say too
FUTURE PROOF
The Chinese auto industry is moving at pace. And it means business
HOW TO WIN THE ICONIC DAKAR RALLY
Three years ago, Audi set itself the seemingly impossible challenge of winning the world’s toughest desert race. Here’s how the famous four rings made motorsport history
PURE KLASSE
Last year saw the saloon version of BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse, now here comes the SUV...
INFINITI EX VETTEL EDITION
The list of special edition road cars bearing the name of F1 world champions is short, but not short enough.