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5 clusters · 39 sources · 16 days · First seen · Last updated

Ford return to WRC factory competition

Overview

Ford has announced its return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) as a full factory team beginning in 2028. The manufacturer will re-establish direct involvement through Ford Racing in partnership with M-Sport Ltd. The transition will follow a phased approach, starting with increased support for M-Sport in 2027, moving to a full works program in 2028, and debuting a new Rally1 competition car in 2029 under the FIA’s WRC27 technical regulations. In 2028, Ford will provide full factory backing, including engineering, engine, and aerodynamics departments. As part of the 2027 transition, M-Sport has unveiled an evolution kit for the Ford Fiesta Rally2. This kit, designed to ensure aerodynamic parity with the upcoming WRC27 category, includes new homologated front fenders, a revised front bumper, and a rear aerodynamic device. The kit also features a 10 kg reduction in minimum weight and a 33 mm turbo restrictor. M-Sport plans to enter three Rally2 cars equipped with this kit into next season’s 15-round championship. Testing is currently underway on asphalt in Spain with driver Matthew Wilson. To support this expansion, M-Sport plans to hire approximately 50 new employees, including engineers and mechanics, at its Dovenby Hall base in Cumbria. During recent Spanish testing, team principal Richard Millener reported that the team completed the first kilometers without technical issues. While development driver Stéphane Lefebvre noted that the performance gap between the new Rally2 cars and current Rally1 models is approximately “half a second per kilometer”, the partnership remains focused on competing for the manufacturers' title in 2029. Ford intends to use the championship as a technical laboratory to inform the development of a new generation of five multi-energy passenger vehicles in Europe, featuring electric and hybrid powertrains.

Entities

Ford · M-Sport · FIA · Jim Baumbick · Malcolm Wilson

Timeline

  1. [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Ford and M-Sport target 2029 WRC manufacturers' title

    Ford and M-Sport are planning a major WRC comeback, aiming for the manufacturers' title in 2029 with a new car and an expanded workforce of 50 new specialists.

  2. [SPORTS] 4 sources
    M-Sport unveils Ford Fiesta Rally2 evolution kit for 2027 WRC

    M-Sport has revealed a Ford Fiesta Rally2 evolution kit designed to compete in the 2027 WRC season, featuring aerodynamic upgrades and weight reductions to ensure parity with new WRC27 regulations.

  3. [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    Ford to return to WRC in 2028 to drive European vehicle development

    Ford will return to the WRC as a factory team in 2028, using rally competition to develop five new electric and hybrid models for the European market by 2029.

  4. [SPORTS] 5 sources
    Ford rally history: The legacy of the Escort and M-Sport

    A look at Ford's rally legacy, featuring the success of the Escort models and Malcolm Wilson's leadership with M-Sport in the WRC.

  5. [SPORTS] 22 sources
    Ford Racing to return to WRC as factory team in 2028

    Ford Racing will return to the FIA World Rally Championship as a full factory team in 2028, partnering with M-Sport to debut a new Rally1 car in 2029 inspired by future European passenger models.

Sources

0aos100.pt · adrenalinemotorsport.pl · albiladpress.com · almanara.media · archive.in.gr · auto-moto.com · auto.everyeye.it · autoblog.rs · autogear.pt · autoszektor.hu · bizrapidx.com · businessnewsweek.in · caranddriver.com · carandmotor.gr · estrepublicain.fr · flatout.com.br · fr.motorsport.com · Lalsace.fr · leprogres.fr · marca.com · mecanicaonline.com.br · mid-east.info · motorsportweek.com · news.sportauto.fr · newsauto.gr · newsauto.pl · novasports.gr · novinky.cz · rallyandrace.pl · rallye-sport.fr · republicain-lorrain.fr · roadandtrack.com · speed-magazin.de · sponsoring.fr · sportti.com · teleradiosciacca.it · theshieldofsports.news · to10.gr · vosgesmatin.fr

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history