Ford Racing has announced its return to the FIA World Rally Championship as a full factory-backed team starting in 2028. This move marks the brand's comeback to top-level rally competition after a 50-year history in the sport. The company will continue its 30-year partnership with M-Sport Ltd to develop a new race car.
The new rally vehicle is scheduled to make its debut in 2029. It will be based on one of the five upcoming European passenger vehicles, which include a mix of electric and hybrid models. Ford intends to apply technical lessons learned from WRC competition to improve the handling and responsiveness of these future road cars.
The decision to return to the WRC coincides with new technical regulations taking effect in 2027 and a change in the championship's commercial ownership. Ford's broader motorsport portfolio currently includes NASCAR, IMSA, Formula Drift, and the World Rally-Raid Championship, with a return to the World Endurance Championship planned for 2027.
Additionally, Ford is preparing for its 2026 entry into Formula 1 through Red Bull Ford Powertrains. With the WRC commitment, the manufacturer will maintain a presence across four FIA World Championships. No specific pricing, model names, or release dates for the upcoming European passenger lineup have been disclosed.
