Few films have shown the bowels of the Formula 1 with the intensity that Rush did. Premiered a decade ago and directed by Ron Howardthe tape masterfully dissects the fleeting rivalry that pitted James Hunt (interpreted by Chris Hemsworth) y Niki Lauda (interpreted by Daniel Brühl) in the 1976 World Cup, quite a clash of styles between the American ‘playboy’ and the obsessive Austrian. The first one driven by an engine prevailed Ford. It was the golden age of the American manufacturer.
This Friday the return of Fordwhich will propel Red Bull y Alpha Tauri as of 2026, and the company that emerged in Detroit almost 120 years ago returns with the aim of greening up old laurels. Its focus is very clear, going back to its glorious era dated between the late 60s and early 80s, when it bagged a total of 22 world titles: 12 drivers and 10 constructors.
The debut of Ford was produced in April 1967 with Cosworth Racing. Barely two months later, that engine, known as the DFV, won its first race at the Dutch Grand Prix con Jim Clark at the wheel. It was the beginning of a series of 155 victories signed by the DFV, which ended with the success of Keke Rosberg at the 1983 Monaco Grand Prix. Soon after the Turbo era began and Ford he evaporated from the fight for the titles.
From that moment, Ford He only celebrated one world title again, although it was not just any achievement: the first of the seven he won Michael Schumacher. It was in 1994, when the ‘Kaiser’ broke into the wheel of his Benetton Ford Zetec R V8 to open a new era of dominance in the F1. He did it without the Americans, since Benetton went to work with Renault the next year. After two decades of drought, Ford he left F1 in 2004. Until now. Let the second stage begin.
Drivers’ championships won by Ford
1968 Graham Hill—Lotus Ford.
1969 Jackie Stewart—Matra Ford.
1970 Jochen Rindt—Lotus Ford.
1971 Jackie Stewart—Lotus Ford.
1972 Emmerson Fittipaldi—Lotus Ford.
1973 Jackie Stewart—Lotus Ford.
1974 Emmerson Fittipaldi—McLaren Ford.
1976 James Hunt—McLaren Ford.
1978 Mario Andretti—Lotus Ford.
1980 Alan Jones—Williams Ford.
1981 Nelson Piquet—Brabham Ford.
1982 Keke Rosberg—Williams Ford.
1994 Michael Schumacher—Benetton Ford.
Constructors’ championships won by Ford
1968 Gold Leaf Team Lotus — Lotus-Ford Cosworth.
1969 Matra International — Matra-Ford Cosworth.
1970 Gold Leaf Team Lotus — Lotus-Ford Cosworth.
1971 Elf Team Tyrrell — Tyrrell-Ford Cosworth.
1972 John Player Team Lotus — Lotus-Ford Cosworth.
1973 John Player Team Lotus — Lotus-Ford Cosworth.
1974 Marlboro Team Texaco — McLaren-Ford Cosworth.
1978 John Player Team Lotus — Lotus-Ford Cosworth.
1980 Albilad Williams Racing Team — Williams-Ford Cosworth.
1981 Albilad Williams Racing Team — Williams-Ford Cosworth.
