Your Guide to the 2026 Ford Racing Season Launch In Detroit
There is a specific kind of energy in January. For most of the world, it’s just cold, gray, and quiet. But for us gearheads, it’s the calm before the storm. It’s that time of year when we start itching for the smell of burnt rubber and the roar of engines. And this year? Ford Racing is kicking things off with a party in their own backyard that promises to be nothing short of legendary.
If you have been marking off the days on your calendar, circle January 15, 2026, in big, bold red ink. We are only a couple of days away from the Ford Racing Season Launch, and the lineup they have assembled is top-notch.
A Motor City Homecoming For Ford Racing
What strikes me most about this year’s launch is the location. They are bringing it home to Detroit, Michigan. There is something poetic about unveiling the future of speed in the city that put the world on wheels. If you are local to the Detroit area, you are in luck. Parts of this event are open to the public. It’s a rare chance to see the machinery and the heroes of the sport up close, right where the Blue Oval beats strongest.
For the rest of us watching from home, the team has set up a massive livestream event split into two distinct parts, ensuring every corner of the motorsport world gets its due.
Part One: American Muscle and Local Heroes
The festivities kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET. This first segment is pure, unadulterated Ford Racing goodness. We are going to get the lowdown on the 2026 programs, and the guest list is stacked.
We’re talking about the heavy hitters of the organization. CEO Jim Farley and Executive Chair Bill Ford will be there, alongside Mark Rushbrook, the Global Director of Ford Racing. The fans? We tune in for the drivers. The stage is going to be crowded with talent. We’ll see freshly crowned legends and rising stars like Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Chris Buescher.
It’s also great to see names like Hailie Deegan, Josh Berry, and Logan Sargeant on the bill. And, of course, the ever-charismatic Daniel Ricciardo will be making a special appearance as a Ford Ambassador. Seeing the “Honey Badger” in a Ford shirt still brings a smile to my face. The team has also teased a “surprise special guest” to host the evening. My money is on a broadcasting legend, but we will have to wait and see.
Part Two: The Formula One Connection
Grab a snack during the intermission, because at 9:30 p.m. ET, things shift gears—literally. This is the moment the global Ford racing community has been waiting for: the focus turns to Formula One.
This segment focuses on the Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls livery reveals. This is huge. It marks the tangible start of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains partnership. Seeing the Ford logo back in F1 is a massive deal for American motorsport history.
ESPN’s Nicole Briscoe will be co-hosting this segment, bringing some broadcast professionalism to the chaos. The lineup here is just as impressive, featuring the four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. Just having him in Detroit feels like a bridging of worlds. He’ll be joined by Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, and the technical wizards behind the cars, including Pierre Wache and Ben Hodgkinson.
Why This Launch Matters
It is easy to get cynical about corporate launch events. But looking at this roster—from the dirt tracks of NASCAR to the high-tech circuits of F1—this feels different. It feels like Ford Racing is planting a flag. They are showing us that whether it’s a stock car or an open-wheel rocket ship, they are here to race, and they are here to win.
So, clear your schedule for the evening of January 15. Whether you are tuning in via Red Bull TV, catching the stream on social media, or lucky enough to be there in the freezing Detroit air, this is the start of the 2026 season. Let’s go racing.
