The Ford V8 That Changed Formula 1

Gemma Lusty

21.08.26

The Ford V8 That Changed Formula 1

As Ford Racing celebrates its 125th anniversary, we’re looking back at one of the defining chapters in its history: the Ford DFV V8. What happened in 1967 cemented Ford's place as a global leader in motorsport and changed the landscape of the most competitive series in the world - Formula 1.

The story began in 1965, when Walter Hayes, head of motorsport at Ford, commissioned Keith Duckworth and Mike Costin to establish a Formula 1 programme. Work began immediately on two engines: a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder unit for Formula 2, and a 3.0-litre V8 for Formula 1. The Formula 1 engine Cosworth ultimately pursued was derived from that four-cylinder FVA - the Four Valve Series A - taking the fundamentals of the design and building a V8 from it, hence DFV, or Double Four Valve. It revolutionised Formula 1 by moving the sport on from the old two-valve engines to four-valve architecture.

The DFV was unveiled on 4 June 1967 at Zandvoort, Holland. Despite minimal testing time, Jim Clark pushed the Ford-Lotus to the extremes: by the halfway point of the race, he had built an 11-second lead over Brabham, and by the finish he had set the fastest lap at 1:28.1 and won the race at an average speed of 171.375 km/h.

The victory marked the first time in 13 years that a new design had won a Formula 1 event, and it set the DFV on course to become the sport's defining power unit for the next 15 years. Between 1967 and 1983 the DFV won 155 races, powered 12 world championship drivers and secured 10 world constructors' championships. It even won the ‘Triple Crown’, winning Monaco GP, the Indy 500 and Le Mans.

From the DFV to Red Bull Ford Powertrains

That same spirit of engineering ambition now drives Ford Racing's return to the pinnacle of the sport. Ford Racing is the Official Powertrains Partner for Red Bull Ford Powertrains, and is working hand-in-hand with the team to develop the power units that race on track with Oracle Red Bull Racing and customer team Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.

Just as the DFV redefined performance in its era, today's collaboration is built on shared technical focus. From a four-valve breakthrough in 1967 to combustion and electrified power units in 2026, Ford Racing's 125-year story remains one of pushing the boundaries of what is possible on track.