WRC
Ford to return to WRC as full factory team from 2028
Ford Racing will return to the FIA World Rally Championship as a full factory-backed team from 2028, with an all-new WRC car set to make its competitive debut one year later.
The American automotive giant announced its renewed commitment to rallying at Rally Italia Sardegna on Thursday, confirming that its long-standing partnership with M-Sport will form the basis of an expanded works programme.
Ford Racing will become directly involved in M-Sport’s WRC campaign from 2028 before the pair introduce an entirely new car for the 2029 season, taking inspiration from one of Ford’s upcoming European passenger vehicles.
The announcement represents a significant commitment to the championship as WRC prepares to enter a new technical era, with new regulations coming into force from 2027.
Ford also plans to use its WRC programme to help develop its next generation of European road cars, with lessons from rallying feeding into a new portfolio of electric and hybrid models.
We are delighted to welcome Ford back as a full factory team and look forward to this new chapter together.
“We are delighted to welcome Ford back as a full factory team and look forward to this new chapter together,” said WRC Promoter CEO Eric Boullier.
“Ford’s decision to return to the FIA World Rally Championship as a full factory team is fantastic news. The brand has an extraordinary history in rallying and has been part of some of the sport’s most memorable moments.
© WRC
“More importantly, this renewed commitment to WRC, as part of its extensive global motorsport programme, is a strong statement about the relevance of rallying to one of the world’s leading automotive brands.
“Seeing WRC support both its racing ambitions and the development of future road cars is particularly exciting.”
Ford and M-Sport share one of the championship’s longest-running partnerships, stretching back to 1997. Together they have campaigned generations of Ford machinery including the Focus, Fiesta and, most recently, the Puma.
M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson described the announcement as an important moment for both his organisation and the championship.
“From my early rallying days, Ford has been front and centre of both my racing career and my business,” Wilson said.
“This announcement is such an exciting one both for M-Sport but also for the sport of rallying. Ford is in many ways synonymous with rallying and it feels like they are back where they belong.”
Ford’s history at the highest level of rallying stretches back more than half a century, with cars including the Escort, Sierra, Focus, Fiesta and Puma all playing major roles in WRC competition.
Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Racing, said that heritage remained a major factor behind the manufacturer’s decision to strengthen its involvement.
“As we celebrate 125 years of Ford Racing, our 50-year legacy in the WRC stands out as one of our proudest because of its direct connection to the fun and exciting cars that came from that,” he said.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director Ford Racing
© WRC | @World
We can’t wait to compete again in rally racing in 2028 and beyond.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also welcomed Ford’s commitment, describing it as “another significant moment” for the championship as WRC prepares for its next generation.
Ford’s expanded rally programme forms part of a broad global motorsport strategy which also includes Formula 1, the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and a planned return to the top category of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
