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Preparations for Ford's brand-new World Rally Championship (WRC) challenger for the 2029 season are already well underway. Following the late-September announcement of the manufacturer's plans for a full factory return to the series, attention initially focused on the evolution of the Fiesta Rally2, which M-Sport will run as an interim solution next season.
According to DirtFish, engineers are already hard at work on the car set to make its competitive debut in just over two years. Following tests in Spain with a 2027-spec prototype, M-Sport director Matthew Wilson travelled to North Carolina. At the Ford Performance technical centre, he took part in the initial simulator sessions for the 2029 project.
While stopping short of sharing specific details about the programme, Wilson commented on the progress:
"We are working flat out. The objective is clearly to start the 2029 season with an extremely competitive car, and its homologation has to be completed by the end of 2028, which is just over two years away."
The new machine is being designed completely from scratch and will not borrow components from the current Fiesta Rally2 or Puma Rally1.
Regarding the interim Fiesta Rally1 package that the team will field next year, Wilson expressed satisfaction with the initial asphalt and gravel running completed in Catalunya.
"As others have noted, it's important to benchmark the car's performance against a Rally2 model. Compared to that, the aero changes definitely make a difference. The updates are subtle, but the rear wing and front bumper represent a solid step forward. The engine features a 1mm larger restrictor, delivering more power. Switching to a data logger instead of a pop-off valve is another positive factor. It certainly feels like an upgrade over a Rally2. Whether it will be enough to beat Toyota remains to be seen, but the data suggests next season will be exceptionally close."
While the long-term focus remains firmly on the 2029 challenger, Wilson emphasised the strategic importance of the interim Fiesta for the 2027 and 2028 campaigns.
"This car keeps both Ford and M-Sport in the championship. It allows us to remain a force at the highest level. We have seen a similar approach from other manufacturers in the past. When Citroën took a temporary step back in 2006 ahead of the C4's debut, Kronos Racing ran the Xsara WRC, kept the core team intact, and stayed at the front. That is exactly the role this car will play for us."
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