Understand
Ford returns to Cumbrian car outfit M-Sport for World Rally Championship
Overview
Ford has announced it will return to its Cumbrian headquarters with automotive company M-Sport for the World Rally Championship as a manufacturer in 2028. M-Sport previously ran Ford's programme until full factory support was withdrawn in 2012. The renewed partnership will create about 50 new jobs and aims to win the WRC manufacturers' title in 2029 with a new car.
Key points
- Ford is returning to Cumbrian automotive company M-Sport for the World Rally Championship as a manufacturer in 2028.
- M-Sport previously ran Ford's WRC programme from 1997 until full factory support was withdrawn in 2012.
- The partnership's target is to win the WRC manufacturers' title in 2029 using a newly developed car.
- The expansion will add about 50 new jobs to M-Sport's current workforce of 230.
- In 2027, M-Sport will run an upgraded version of the Ford Fiesta Rally2 car ahead of the full manufacturer return.