Ford Racing has confirmed that it will return to the FIA World Rally Championship as a full factory-backed manufacturer from 2028, expanding its long-running relationship with M-Sport.
The two organisations will begin working on the programme immediately. Ford says it will become directly involved in M-Sport's WRC operation from 2028, before introducing an all-new rally car in 2029.
The 2029 vehicle will take its inspiration from one of five new electric or hybrid passenger vehicles being developed for Europe. Ford has not identified the road model, powertrain, technical partners, development budget or location of the engineering programme.
WRC becomes part of Ford's European product plan
Ford is presenting the works return as both a competition programme and a development platform for its next European vehicle range. The company says WRC experience will inform vehicle responsiveness, handling and durability across the new multi-energy line-up.
That is Ford's stated product-development objective. The announcement does not set out specific technology transfers or quantify how much engineering will be shared between the rally car and road vehicles.
M-Sport has operated Ford-based WRC programmes for three decades. The new commitment changes the manufacturer's level of participation rather than introducing a new team: the existing partner remains central, while Ford Racing moves into a more direct works role.
The announcement comes before new WRC technical regulations take effect in 2027 and after Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital acquired the championship's commercial rights. Ford says it will be the third manufacturer committed to the new regulatory era.
Key programme details remain open
No drivers, senior appointments, test schedule or 2028 vehicle specification were announced. Ford also did not disclose whether the 2029 car will replace an interim 2028 package or how factory responsibilities will be divided with M-Sport.
For suppliers, the programme creates a multi-year development path spanning an immediate works ramp-up and a new-car introduction one year later. The value of that opportunity will depend on the final regulations, sourcing decisions and the extent to which M-Sport's current systems are retained.
The return also gives WRC another manufacturer commitment during a change in promoter and technical rules. Competitive performance, budgets and commercial rights remain separate questions that the announcement does not answer.
No feature image has been used because reusable first-party permission was not established. The article is linked to M-Sport's exact MRI profile and uses only the approved profile asset already held there.