Ford has officially announced its return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) as a full factory team, just a day before Rally Italia Sardegna. The announcement marks a new chapter for the Blue Oval brand, which will strengthen its partnership with M-Sport, a team that has long been its ally in the world of rallying.
The partnership begins immediately with M-Sport fielding a Ford Fiesta in 2027, then Ford enters as a factory team in 2028, and debuts an all-new platform in 2029. This move aligns with the new WRC regulations set to take effect in 2027, which are expected to bring fresh momentum to the competition.
Ford Europe president Jim Baumbick stated that rallying is where Ford's character faces its toughest test. "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," he said. He added that Ford wants its next generation of European vehicles to carry that same unapologetic spirit: responsive, confidence-inspiring, and rewarding to drive on everyday roads.
Ford emphasized that the WRC is the ultimate proving ground for control and driver engagement. Lessons learned from rallying will be injected into future passenger vehicles. The ultimate goal is to create a new generation of rally-bred cars, designed and built in Europe. The new-for-2029 car will be based on all-new, upcoming vehicles for Europe.
Ford Racing global director Mark Rushbrook welcomed the moment with pride. "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. "We can't wait to compete again in rally racing in 2028 and beyond."
WRC Promoter CEO Eric Boulier hailed the announcement as a major win for the world championship. "We are delighted to welcome Ford back as a full factory team and look forward to this new chapter together," he 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."
Boulier also highlighted that Ford's commitment to the 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.
M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson welcomed the return of Ford in a factory presence. "From my early rallying days, Ford has been front and centre of both my racing career and my business," he recalled. "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."
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