Daniel Ricciardo drives a Ford SuperVan for the F1 Grand Prix

In a thrilling display of innovation and speed, the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2024 commenced in Melbourne on Thursday, 21 March 2024, with Ford Australia taking centre stage. The event was electrified by the Ford Performance SuperVan 4.2, a record-breaking, all-electric van as it tore through the Albert Park Circuit under the expert control of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Driver, Daniel Ricciardo. This marked a significant moment as Ricciardo expertly handled the 2,000hp beast, showcasing its capabilities on one of Australia’s most challenging race tracks. The SuperVan 4.2, a highlight of Ford Performance’s EV Demonstrator Program, has been buzzing through Australian motorsport events for the past month, leaving its mark with an unparalleled performance at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama and the Adelaide Motorsport Festival. Its astonishing lap at Bathurst, clocking in at 1:56.3247, set records as the fastest lap by a closed-wheel vehicle, an electric vehicle, and a commercial vehicle. This feat is especially noteworthy considering the SuperVan 4.2, based on the Ford E-Transit, significantly deviates from traditional racing vehicles. Ford Performance’s initiative with the SuperVan 4.2 in Australia goes beyond mere spectacle; it spearheads the development and testing of technologies destined for future road cars. Motorsport’s rigours provide the perfect testbed for new parts and technology, facilitating their refinement for eventual consumer use. The program also aligns with Australia’s high demand for performance cars, allowing Ford to meet and surpass Australian expectations with their future electric vehicles.