DEARBORN, Mi. – Ford is returning to its rally racing roots to inspire a new generation of unapologetic and agile rally-bred passenger vehicles designed and built in Europe. To help drive this new era, Ford Racing today announces it will once again compete in the FIA World Rally Championship as a full factory-backed team from 2028 onwards.
Since the company’s founding, Ford has used racing to help make better vehicles for customers. The performance and technical skills required to compete in WRC will help shape Ford’s all-new passenger lineup of five “multi-energy” electric vehicles and hybrids, blending off-road DNA with rally-bred heritage.
"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,” said Jim Baumbick, President, Ford Europe. “We want our next generation of European vehicles to carry that same unapologetic spirit. Responsive, confidence-inspiring, and rewarding to drive on the roads people use every day.”
As part of its return, Ford Racing will once again team up with M-Sport Ltd, its rally racing partner of 30 years. Both brands will work together immediately and from 2028, Ford Racing will be directly involved in the WRC campaign with M-Sport before the debut of an all-new WRC race car in 2029, taking inspiration from one of the upcoming all-new European passenger vehicles.
“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," said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Racing. “We can’t wait to compete again in rally racing in 2028 and beyond.”
Rallying versions of Ford road cars including Escort, Sierra, Focus, Fiesta and Puma have each played significant roles in more than 50 years of WRC history. In that time, Ford has won multiple manufacturer and driver world championships, furthered the careers of some of the sport’s most celebrated drivers, and proving the durability and speed of its products around the world on terrain from asphalt to gravel, ice and sand.
In addition, success on the rally stage has provided inspiration for iconic Ford models from the 1970 Escort Mexico to the latest Ranger Raptor pickup.
Today’s announcement comes at an exciting time for the sport. With Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital having recently acquired the commercial rights to the FIA World Rally Championship, alongside new regulations coming into effect for the 2027 season and beyond, the future of WRC is a healthy one.
“Today’s announcement represents another significant moment for the FIA World Rally Championship,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA president. “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."
Sulayem further said, “Ford is one of the great names in motorsport, and its commitment to compete across four different FIA World Championships proves the incredible value of racing as a global laboratory for its products. Having had the privilege of driving for Ford during my own career, welcoming this iconic manufacturer back to the WRC is a truly special moment, and a powerful testament to the growing strength of WRC.”
In addition to helping the new rally-bred lineup for Europe, returning to WRC also builds on Ford’s global dominance in the commitment to leading in the off-road space in both passenger vehicles and in racing, where vehicles such as Ranger Raptor have become the benchmark for capability both on and off the beaten path.
Mastering the perfectly imperfect roads of Europe
When Ford laid out its new passenger vehicle vision for Europe, the brand promised vehicles designed specifically for Europe’s "perfectly imperfect roads."
“You can't fake it on Europe’s roads, which is why a car’s responsiveness and handling matters,” said Baumbick. “The WRC is the ultimate proving ground for control and driver engagement, and that is the exact spirit and lessons learned we are injecting into our next generation of passenger vehicles.”
