Ford to Return to World Rally Championship as Full Factory Team in 2028
Table of Contents
Ford is heading back to the FIA World Rally Championship as a full factory team from 2028. The return will come under the Ford Racing umbrella and will be closely linked to the development of Ford’s next generation of passenger cars, particularly its European models.
Ford and longtime rally partner M Sport will develop an all new WRC car under the FIA’s new WRC27 technical regulations. The new Ford Rally1 car is scheduled to make its competitive debut during the 2029 season.
For Ford, this is not simply about putting another blue car on a rally stage. The company says it wants to use rallying to bring more character and driving excitement to its future road cars.
Ford Is Coming Back to the WRC
Ford has a long history in rallying, with cars such as the Escort, Sierra, Focus, Fiesta and Puma competing in international rally events over more than five decades. However, the company has not operated a full factory WRC programme since 2012.
That changes in 2028.
Ford Racing will become directly involved in the WRC programme alongside M Sport. The partnership will then produce an all new Rally1 car designed around the WRC27 regulations for the 2029 season.
Ford is already heavily involved in motorsport. Its current and planned programmes cover Formula 1, rally raid, endurance racing and other major championships. With the WRC programme, Ford will have a presence across four FIA World Championships from 2028.
The Bigger Reason Behind Ford's WRC Return
The interesting part of Ford’s announcement is not only the rally car.
Ford says the WRC programme will help shape its upcoming European passenger cars. The company wants future models to take some of the character and driving response developed through rally competition.
Ford Europe President Jim Baumbick said the company wants its next generation of European vehicles to be responsive, confidence inspiring and rewarding to drive on everyday roads.
That gives the WRC project a much more direct connection with Ford’s road cars.
Instead of motorsport being something that sits separately from the showroom, Ford wants the rally programme to influence the cars customers actually drive.
New Ford Rally Car Coming in 2029
Ford will begin its full factory WRC programme in 2028, but the completely new Rally1 car will arrive for competition in 2029.
The car will be developed according to the FIA’s WRC27 technical regulations. These regulations are designed to make top level rallying more accessible by controlling costs while maintaining the performance and spectacle expected from the championship.
Ford will become the fourth constructor to commit to developing a car under the WRC27 regulations. Toyota and two independent projects had already committed to the new technical framework.
The FIA says a ready to compete WRC27 car in asphalt specification will have a price cap of €345,000. The new rules are intended to reduce the cost of competing at the highest level and encourage more manufacturers and constructors to participate.
Rally Technology Could Influence Ford Road Cars
This is where Ford’s return gets interesting for people who have no intention of driving a rally car.
Ford says its WRC programme will help develop rally bred passenger vehicles for Europe. The company wants some of that rally character to make its way into ordinary road cars.
That could mean changes to areas such as handling, steering response, chassis tuning and the overall driving experience. Ford has not yet provided a detailed list of technologies or future production models that will receive specific WRC derived hardware, so it is better not to assume too much at this stage.
The basic idea is clear, though. Ford wants its European cars to be more enjoyable to drive.
And honestly, that is probably the part enthusiasts will watch most closely.
What About Ford Cars in North America?
Ford’s new factory WRC programme is primarily connected to its European passenger car portfolio.
That means American Ford customers should not expect an immediate wave of rally inspired models. However, Ford’s global engineering work could still produce lessons that eventually influence vehicles developed for other markets.
There is no official confirmation yet that a future North American Ford model will directly use technology developed for the new WRC car.
So, for now, that connection remains a possibility rather than a confirmed product plan.
Could the Focus RS Come Back?
The Ford Focus RS is the obvious name that comes to mind when talking about rally inspired Ford road cars.
The previous Focus RS became one of Ford’s best known performance hatchbacks, combining all wheel drive with serious performance and a chassis designed to make the car entertaining away from a racetrack.
Ford has not announced a new Focus RS as part of its WRC programme.
Still, a factory rally programme focused on developing more sporting European passenger cars naturally raises the question. If Ford really wants to put more rally character into its future road cars, enthusiasts will understandably start asking for the Focus RS name again.
For now, that remains wishful thinking rather than an announced product.
Ford's WRC Return Comes at an Important Time
Ford’s return also arrives as the WRC prepares for a new technical era.
The FIA’s WRC27 regulations are scheduled to come into effect from 2027 and focus on cost control, flexibility and wider participation. The new generation of rally cars will continue using internal combustion engines with sustainable fuel, while the regulations aim to make the category more affordable for manufacturers and constructors.
The FIA has also been working to expand the WRC’s reach. The championship is set to return to the United Kingdom with Rally Scotland in 2027, while plans have also been progressing for a return to the United States.
That makes Ford’s return particularly relevant for a manufacturer with a large global presence.
What Ford's WRC Programme Means
The main points are straightforward:
- Ford will return to the FIA World Rally Championship as a full factory team from 2028.
- Ford Racing will work with M Sport on the programme.
- An all new Ford Rally1 car will debut in the 2029 WRC season.
- The car will be developed under the FIA’s WRC27 regulations.
- Ford says the programme will help influence its next generation of European passenger cars.
- The focus will include making everyday Ford models more responsive and enjoyable to drive.
- Ford has not announced a new Focus RS.
- WRC technology could eventually provide lessons for Ford’s wider global engineering operations, but specific North American applications have not been confirmed.
Ford Is Bringing Some Fun Back
Ford’s return to the WRC is about more than another manufacturer joining the rally grid.
The company is openly connecting its motorsport programme with future road cars. That is important because Ford’s European lineup is heading toward a new generation, and the company wants those vehicles to have more personality behind the wheel.
The first full factory season comes in 2028. The new Ford Rally1 car follows in 2029.
Whether that eventually gives us another genuinely exciting Ford performance car remains to be seen. A new Focus RS would certainly make a lot of enthusiasts happy, but Ford has not promised one.
For now, the confirmed news is already pretty good: Ford is going rallying again, and this time it says the lessons from the stages are going back into its road cars.
Sources & References
Official sources
- Ford Racing: Ford Returns to FIA World Rally Championship
Ford’s official announcement confirming the 2028 factory return and 2029 new WRC car. - FIA: Ford Confirms WRC Return From 2028
Official FIA source covering the WRC27 regulations, M Sport partnership and 2029 Rally1 car. - WRC: Ford to Return as Full Factory Team From 2028
Official World Rally Championship announcement with details of Ford’s programme. - Ford: Rallying as the Future of Road Cars
Ford Europe explains how rally development will influence its future European passenger vehicles. - Ford: Ford’s Rally Heritage
Official Ford history of its major rally cars and five decades of rally involvement.
US automotive and motorsport sources
- Car and Driver: Ford’s Return to the World Rally Championship
US automotive publication covering the WRC return and its connection with future road cars. - Road & Track: Ford’s WRC Team Returns to Full Factory Status
US focused automotive coverage explaining the M Sport relationship and future Ford rally car. - Motorsport.com: Ford Factory WRC Return in 2028
Detailed motorsport report covering Ford, M Sport, the 2028 programme and 2029 car. - RACER: Ford Returns to WRC as Full Factory Team
Motorsport publication with additional details on Ford’s factory programme and new car. - DirtFish: Ford Returns to WRC as a Manufacturer
Rally focused publication covering Ford’s return and its M Sport partnership.
Additional independent sources
- Reuters: Ford to Make Full Factory Return to WRC in 2028
Independent international news report confirming Ford’s factory return and WRC27 commitment. - Motor Sport Magazine: Ford’s WRC Factory Comeback
Motorsport focused background on Ford’s return and its rally history. - Ford Authority: Ford’s 2028 WRC Factory Return
Ford focused independent publication covering the announcement and wider motorsport programme.
Ford WRC Return FAQ
Here are the key questions about Ford's return to the FIA World Rally Championship, its new Rally1 car and the possible influence of the programme on future Ford road cars.
When will Ford return to the World Rally Championship?
Ford will return to the FIA World Rally Championship as a full factory team from 2028. The programme will operate under the Ford Racing umbrella and will be developed alongside longtime rally partner M Sport.
When will Ford's new WRC rally car debut?
Ford's new Rally1 car is scheduled to make its competitive WRC debut during the 2029 season. The car will be developed according to the FIA's WRC27 technical regulations.
Who will develop Ford's new WRC car?
Ford Racing will work with M Sport to develop the new WRC programme. The partnership will produce the all new Rally1 car for Ford's return to competition.
What are the WRC27 regulations?
WRC27 is the FIA's new technical framework for the next generation of top level rally cars. The regulations are intended to control costs, improve flexibility and encourage wider participation while maintaining the performance expected from the World Rally Championship.
Will Ford's WRC programme influence its road cars?
Yes. Ford says its WRC programme will help shape its next generation of European passenger cars. The company wants to bring more rally bred character and driving response to its road cars, with areas such as handling, steering response and chassis tuning potentially benefiting from the programme.
Will Ford sell rally inspired cars in the United States?
Ford has not confirmed a specific North American production model that will use technology developed for the new WRC car. The current programme is primarily connected to Ford's European passenger car portfolio. Lessons from the programme could eventually influence vehicles developed for other markets, but that has not been confirmed.
Is Ford bringing back the Focus RS?
Ford has not announced a new Focus RS as part of its WRC programme. The Focus RS is often associated with Ford's rally inspired performance cars, but a new generation has not been confirmed.
When was Ford's last full factory WRC programme?
Ford has not operated a full factory World Rally Championship programme since 2012. Its return as a full factory team is scheduled for 2028.
How much will a WRC27 rally car cost?
The FIA says a ready to compete WRC27 car in asphalt specification will have a price cap of €345,000. The cost controls are intended to make top level rallying more accessible to manufacturers and constructors.
Why is Ford returning to the WRC?
Ford's return is partly about competition and partly about vehicle development. The company says it wants the WRC programme to help create European passenger cars with more responsive handling, stronger driving character and a more rewarding everyday driving experience.
