Ford announced its return to the World Rally Championship as a full‑factory entrant from 2028, working alongside M‑Sport, and has committed to a brand‑new car for the 2029 season.
Strategic Timing and Partnerships
The decision follows a successful collaboration on the Ford Puma WRC in 2022, during which the team secured a first‑round win with Sébastien Loeb in Monte Carlo. Mark Rushbrook noted that although Ford was heavily involved in vehicle development, the timing had not yet been right to launch a factory programme. The new arrangement capitalises on a change of promoter and updated technical regulations that raise the series’ profile.
In his first remarks, Rushbrook highlighted the appointment of Jim Baumbick as head of Ford of Europe. A seasoned product‑development specialist, Baumbick’s arrival gives the brand a focused rally voice in Europe and, according to Rushbrook, aligns corporate ambition with rally expertise.
Regulatory and Leadership Drivers
Ford’s return is framed as an endorsement of the WRC’s future. “We see the sport’s direction positively,” Rushbrook said, noting the FIA’s updated rules and the promoter’s vision make the timing ideal for a factory‑level re‑entry. The partnership with M‑Sport offers a proven platform for a competitive factory run.
While the prospect of a U.S. rally next year—potentially the first since 1988—was not the decisive factor, Rushbrook praised the opportunity to race on American soil, stating, “We are an American race team, but our racing truly spans the globe, making a U.S. event a special event for us.”
Upcoming Products and Future Plans
During the launch at the WRC season finale in Sardinia, it was revealed that Ford will introduce five new product lines, with four of them rooted in rally heritage. Details on the 2029 WRC car remain confidential, but its foundation is expected to stem from one of these rally‑bred offerings.
“We are looking forward to the next two to three years of development before resuming competition,” Rushbrook added, underscoring a long‑term commitment to innovation and performance.
Ford’s return sets the wheels in motion for a new chapter in rallying where headline triumphs will be contested under fresh rules and renewed ambition.
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