Perhaps Ford has some spare time, money, and personnel despite its Formula 1 involvement, because it has now decided to launch a full factory racing effort in the World Rally Championship starting in 2028. High five, Ford.
Ford has been involved in WRC in one way, shape, or form for decades, and it has the cars and hardware to show for it. From the famous Michelin-liveried Escort, the Sierra, and of course, the Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz Focuses, only Subaru and Audi evoke more dirt-loving memories.
The Blue Oval is once again looking to its long-time partner, M-Sport, to launch its factory effort, which will technically begin in 2028 but will really peak in 2029 when its all-new Ford race car hits the road.
“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 of Ford Racing. “We can’t wait to compete again in rally racing in 2028 and beyond.”
It’s too soon to know who will be driving for Ford come 2028 or 2029, let alone what its car will look like, but Ford promises that its WRC racer will “help shape Ford’s new European portfolio of rally-bred passenger vehicles to help turn everyday commutes into drives worth looking forward to.”
Ford is currently involved in a myriad of racing disciplines, from F1 as Red Bull’s engine partner to NASCAR, the Dakar Rally, GT3 with the Mustang, and will take on Le Mans in the Hypercar class in 2027.
Oh, and remember when a Ford engineer had an F1 turbocharger confiscated at the Detroit airport? Here’s that scoop.
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