Ford will return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) as a full factory-backed team from 2028, marking its first full works programme in the championship since 2012.
The announcement has been welcomed by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which said Ford’s commitment comes as the WRC prepares for a new technical and commercial era.
Ford will work with long-standing partner M-Sport on its return. The manufacturer also plans to develop an all-new Rally1 car under the FIA’s WRC27 technical regulations, with the new vehicle scheduled to make its competitive debut in 2029.
Ford Becomes Fourth Constructor Under WRC27
Ford’s commitment makes it the fourth constructor to announce plans to develop a car under the new WRC27 regulations.
The regulations are scheduled to come into effect in 2027 and have been designed around safety, affordability, flexibility and accessibility. The FIA has set a price cap of €345,000 for a ready-to-compete WRC27 car in asphalt specification, with the aim of lowering the cost of competing at the highest level of rallying.
Ford Racing will become directly involved in the WRC programme from 2028 alongside M-Sport before the introduction of its new Rally1 car in 2029.
FIA Highlights Momentum Around WRC’s Next Era
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said Ford’s return represents another significant development for the championship.
He pointed to the new promoter, existing constructor commitments to the WRC27 regulations and Ford’s factory return as signs of momentum ahead of the championship’s next phase.
“Ford is one of the great names in motorsport and its commitment to FIA World Championships continues to grow,” Ben Sulayem said.
He also noted that Ford is competing across several FIA championships, with its WRC return set to give the manufacturer a presence across four FIA World Championships from 2028.
Ford Links Rallying to Future Road Cars
Ford said its return to the WRC will also support the development of its next generation of European passenger vehicles.
The company said the performance and technical demands of rallying will help shape its upcoming vehicle portfolio, including models designed around a combination of electric and hybrid powertrains.
Jim Baumbick, President of Ford Europe, said rallying provides a demanding environment in which the company's vehicle characteristics can be tested.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Racing, said the manufacturer's 50-year WRC history remains an important part of its motorsport heritage.
Ford Expands Global Motorsport Programme
Ford's WRC return will form part of a broader motorsport programme spanning multiple FIA championships.
The manufacturer returned to Formula 1 in 2026, competes in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and is preparing to return to the top category of the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2027. Its WRC programme will expand that presence to four FIA World Championships from 2028.
Ford has a long history in international rallying, with models including the Escort, Sierra, Focus, Fiesta and Puma competing across more than five decades.
WRC Enters New Technical and Commercial Phase
Ford's announcement comes as the WRC prepares for the introduction of its new technical regulations and a broader commercial development programme.
The FIA has described the championship's recently secured “Deal of the Century” as part of its commercial development under a new promoter team. The phrase is the FIA's characterization of the agreement, rather than an independent assessment.
Eric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter, welcomed Ford's decision to return as a full factory team, saying the manufacturer's involvement reinforces the championship's relevance to the global automotive industry.
The WRC27 regulations are intended to lower entry costs and broaden participation, while allowing manufacturers and independent constructors to develop and compete with new-generation cars from 2027.
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