Ford Returns to FIA World Rally Championship as Factory Manufacturer from 2028
The automotive giant has announced a full works programme comeback, marking its first factory-backed WRC participation since 2012 and signalling renewed momentum for the championship's evolution.
The FIA World Rally Championship has welcomed a significant boost to its competitive landscape with Ford’s announcement of a comprehensive factory return beginning in 2028. The manufacturer’s full works programme represents a landmark moment for international rallying, coinciding with a transformative period for the sport under fresh promotional stewardship and revised technical regulations.
Ford’s commitment encompasses the development of an entirely new Rally1 car compliant with the FIA’s WRC27 technical regulations, scheduled for introduction in 2029. This achievement positions Ford as the fourth constructor to commit to the ambitious new regulatory framework, which prioritises safety, affordability, flexibility and accessibility across the sport’s highest tier.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed considerable enthusiasm for the announcement, emphasising the championship’s gathering momentum. “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,” he remarked.
The fresh technical regulations represent a significant evolution in rallying economics, capping the cost of a ready-to-compete car at €345,000 in asphalt specification. This measured approach aims to lower barriers to entry whilst maintaining the rigorous standards expected of world championship competition.
Ford’s broader motorsport strategy underscores the manufacturer’s confidence in FIA World Championships as platforms for technological innovation and brand advancement. The company’s motorsport footprint now spans four FIA championships: Formula 1, the World Rally-Raid Championship, the World Endurance Championship—to which it returns in 2027—and the World Rally Championship from 2028.
The manufacturer will implement its programme through a partnership structure combining Ford Racing’s direct involvement with the long-established expertise of M-Sport, a proven alliance within competitive rallying. This collaboration leverages complementary strengths to establish a formidable competitive presence.
Jim Baumbick, President of Ford Europe, articulated the manufacturer’s vision, emphasising rallying’s role as an ultimate proving ground for automotive character. The sport’s demanding conditions and technical challenges provide essential validation for the responsive, confidence-inspiring qualities that Ford seeks to embed within its next generation of European vehicles.
The championship’s expansion prospects include strengthened presence in the United Kingdom and United States markets, aligning with the sport’s commercial development objectives. These initiatives, combined with increased investment and Ford’s factory commitment, collectively represent a transformative moment for international rallying.
Source: WAM