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Ford to return to World Rally Championship as full factory team in 2028

Ford announced on 1 October that it will return to the WRC as a full factory team from 2028 with M-Sport, and build a Rally1 car for the FIA's new WRC27 rules in 2029. It would be Ford's first full works programme since 2012.

2 outlets · 0L · 1C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: CNA
Image: Arab News

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The story, neutrally told

Ford announced on Thursday 1 October 2026 that it will return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) as a full factory team from 2028, together with long-standing partner M-Sport. It will be Ford's first full works programme in the WRC since 2012; M-Sport currently competes with Ford Puma cars and has had technical support from Ford since 2012, having run the works team before that. Ford will introduce an all-new Rally1 car built to the FIA's WRC27 technical regulations in 2029, making it the fourth constructor to commit to building a car under those rules.

The new regulations are aimed at cutting the cost of competing at the top level; Arab News reports that the price of a ready-to-compete car is capped at $388,000 in asphalt specification. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said there was "real momentum behind the championship's next era", citing a new promoter and three constructors already committed to the new rules; he added that he had driven for Ford during his own career. Ford is also in Formula One with Red Bull, is set to compete in the World Endurance Championship from 2027, and is in the World Rally-Raid Championship, which includes the Dakar Rally.

Ford cars have won 94 WRC rallies and the previous works team took three manufacturer titles, according to CNA. Ford Europe president Jim Baumbick said rallying is "where Ford's character faces its toughest test", and Ford Racing global director Mark Rushbrook said the company "can't wait to compete again in rally racing in 2028 and beyond". CNA places the move in the context of Ford trying to revive its fortunes in Europe, where Chinese automakers are expanding fast, and its May plan to launch seven new models in Europe by 2029; WRC Promoter CEO Eric Boullier called the decision "fantastic news".

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Concise news report of the announcement, placing it in Ford's wider European strategy and the cost-cutting WRC27 rules.
Emphasis
Ford's business context: Chinese competition in Europe, seven new European models by 2029, record of 94 wins.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the $388,000 car price cap or the promoter's reaction.
For example
“The manufacturer is trying to revive its fortunes in Europe where Chinese automakers are expanding fast.” — CNA

Right1 outlet

Framing
Reads as a promotional FIA-centred piece: the championship's momentum and commercial growth, led by FIA and Ford statements.
Emphasis
FIA president's welcome, the "Deal of the Century", new promoter and ownership, car cost cap, Ford's wider motorsport programme.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention Ford's European sales challenges or its 94 WRC wins.
Charged language
“Deal of the century”“real momentum”
For example
“And comes as the championship has recently secured the “Deal of the Century” and enters a new period of commercial development under its recently appointed promoter team.” — Arab News