Ford Racing will return to the World Rally Championship in 2028 and deliver an all-new car for the start of the 2029 season.
The news marks the end of Ford’s 14-year absence as a full factory manufacturer in the series.
Ford Europe president Jim Baumbick and Ford Racing global director Mark Rushbrook were joined by WRC stakeholders at a press conference in Sardinia on Thursday, to offer more detail on the Blue Oval’s return.
“Rallying is where Ford’s character faces its toughest test, and where generations of fans come to share the thrill of seeing a car take on the impossible,” said Baumbick. “We want our next generation of European vehicles to carry that same unapologetic spirit. Responsive, confidence-inspiring, and rewarding to drive on the roads people use every day.”
Ford will collaborate with M-Sport on its official return, maintaining a partnership which stretches back to 1997. The new Rally1 car will come from one of five multi-energy, rally-bred road cars to be rolled out in 2028 and 2029.
Baumbick added: “It’s important that you know that ‘rally-bred’ for us is not just marketing words. We’re not talking about styling ads and things like that. This is a promise that we want to make to our customers. We are all about emotion and unlocking emotion, and we want to put the soul and responsiveness and capability of rally into these vehicles. We know, as we have been with our pretty extensive race-to-road strategy, we have to prove it where it counts to make those statements. And certainly it’s reinforced with our heritage and our legacy.”
Rushbrook outlined more of the detail of Ford’s return to rallying’s top-flight.
Ford has partnered M-Sport's WRC presence in recent years, but from 2028 it's back as a full factory entry
He said: “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. We can’t wait to compete again in rally racing in 2028 and beyond.”
Talking more specifically about the coming seasons, he added: “The timing is very opportune as we align with a new era for WRC, very visionary promoters coming in now with more cost-effective, smarter rules from the FIA with the 2027-and-beyond regulations we have.
“Our plan is in 2027, we will begin to support M-Sport again as they can campaign a Ford Fiesta under these new rules.
“In 2028, we will step up our support with full manufacturer factory works backing, which includes our engineering, our powertrain, aerodynamics, testing resources for competition in that year, but also towards developing the new car that will debut in 2029 – an all-new WRC factory challenger and that is going to be derived directly from Ford Europe’s forthcoming rally-bred vehicle portfolio. Again, it’s race-to-road, it’s a cycle that we must always continue.”
Éric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter, said: “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.
“More importantly, this renewed commitment to WRC, as part of its extensive global motorsport program, 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. We are delighted to welcome Ford back as a full factory team and look forward to this new chapter together.”
FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has competed in Fords in the WRC, said: “Today’s announcement represents another significant moment for the FIA World Rally Championship. With a new promoter in place, three constructors already committed to the new technical regulations, and now Ford confirming its return as a full works manufacturer, there is real momentum behind the championship’s next era.
“Ford is one of the great names in motorsport and its commitment to FIA World Championships continues to grow. The manufacturer returned to Formula 1 this year, is competing at the highest level of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, will return to the top category of the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2027, and from 2028 will once again compete as a works manufacturer in the WRC. That will give Ford a presence across four FIA World Championships and demonstrates the importance it places on motorsport as a global platform, and laboratory, for its brand, products and technologies.
“I had the privilege of driving for Ford during my own career, so welcoming them back is a particularly special moment for me. The WRC continues to grow, and this long-term commitment from such an iconic manufacturer is a testament to the strength of the championship.”
Malcolm Wilson has been central to Ford’s story, competing with the brand before masterminding its world championship success with M-Sport.
The Briton added: “From my early rallying days, Ford has been front and center of both my racing career and my business. 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.”
