How Hamilton and Verstappen can reignite decades-old feud

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen could replicate a historic and iconic motorsport rivalry in 2026 when Ford joins forces with Red Bull in F1.

If the two great adversaries, along with their team-mates, find themselves in the battle for the drivers' championship that year - and likely by extension push their respective teams into constructors' title contention - it will create a second act to the titanic fight between Ferrari and the American car giant from the 1960s.

Immortalised by the film Ford v Ferrari, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, the two manufacturers were locked into a heated fight for glory at Le Mans after the Italian outfit leveraged Ford's offer to purchase the company to secure a deal with Fiat in 1963.

That prompted Ford to develop its motorsport division to end Ferrari's dominance at the famed 24-hour race.

The American company ultimately succeeded in 1966, ending Ferrari's run of six consecutive wins at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Ford also went on to triumph in 1967, 1968 and 1969.

That final victory would prove to be the last for either manufacturer before Ferrari won outright in the LMDh Hypercar class in 2023.

Alongside Briton James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi was joined by former F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi on the top step of the podium.

The Scuderia followed up that success last year, going back-to-back at Le Mans, with victory this time going to Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen. 

From endurance to F1?

In F1, although Ford is only a partner of Red Bull - who through its PowerTrains unit will be considered its own power unit manufacturer - its return to the grid provides the opportunity to revive the storied rivalry, in a similar way to how Hamilton and Verstappen may resume theirs in the season to come.

With Honda departing for a works arrangement at Aston Martin, Red Bull brought Ford into the fold to supply electrical parts. That remit has since expanded to the turbo and test equipment for the all-new engines.

Much, however, hinges on the outcome of the 2026 F1 regulations overhaul, with both the chassis and the power unit rules being altered significantly.

So, whilst Hamilton and Verstappen will likely both be at the sharp end of the grid this year, there is no guarantee that Ferrari and Red Bull's competitive form will initially carry over into the new era.