– M-Sport stated in January that it is considering all options for the new WRC regulations 2027 and wants to make a decision soon. But even four months later, no decision has been made for the future.
Read more Major Miami upgrade from Red Bull: significant approach to the top
Officially, the British team’s continuation beyond 2026 has not yet been confirmed, although it is expected that the team will also start next year with its Ford Fiesta Rally2 vehicle.
Under the new FIA technical regulations, Rally2 vehicles will initially compete in a new joint class against the new WRC27 vehicles from 2027.
The Ford team had previously admitted that building a completely new WRC27 vehicle according to the new FIA cost cap formula for 2027 is unlikely due to the tight timeframe.
Another factor preventing the team from committing to the future of the WRC is the ongoing sale of the championship’s commercial rights as well as the future strategic direction under a new promoter.
The sales process to a new promoter is said to be in its final phase. The leading candidate is the French automotive network Cosmobilis, led by former Formula 1 team principal Eric Boullier.
M-Sport team principal Richard Millener admits that the team’s plans are open until the completion of this sale, but he confirms that initial work on a new vehicle has begun while the team weighs its options.
A collaboration with Ford or another manufacturer as well as going solo as an independent constructor remain possible scenarios. “Absolutely [all options for 2028 are open], that’s what the regulations were designed for.”
“We haven’t committed yet. These options exist. We are waiting to see what works best and what the long-term future of the sport looks like,” Millener tells Motorsport.com, a sister platform of Motorsport-Total.com.
“There is nothing dramatic to report, but obviously many things are happening in the background that can be set in motion immediately once we have the necessary information.”
“Regarding development, we have done some basic preliminary work to ensure that we don’t have to start from scratch if something comes up. We have looked at the absolute basics.”
Read more Two-tone carbon!? Tuner Larte builds the craziest Lamborghini Urus SE yet
“So the chassis and some feasibility studies on the body shape we imagine, really the most fundamental things.” Toyota is already testing a new prototype for next year.
Several options for the future
For the private team M-Sport, a partnership with a manufacturer seems to be the preferred option. Millener says talks with the current partner Ford about the future of the WRC are ongoing.
M-Sport began its partnership with Ford in 1997 and led the blue oval’s factory team in the WRC until 2012. Since then, the team has developed Ford WRC vehicles and competes as a semi-factory team.
However, M-Sport also runs Ford’s factory program in the World Rally Raid Championship. “Ford always asks questions and we always answer them. They [Ford] still have an interest in the WRC,” says Millener.
“They do their job and weigh every championship. They are active in many championships. Unfortunately, there is no concrete news to report, but we are also examining the feasibility of doing it on our own.”
“For M-Sport to realize its own vehicle and go its own way, we still need to ensure that the promoter sale is completed and that there is a plan for the next 25 years.”
“We will not invest a lot of money in a project that might not go as planned.” Regarding next year, M-Sport has confirmed that there are no plans to further upgrade its Fiesta Rally2.
“There will be no plans [for further upgrades]. We carried out a major upgrade at the beginning of this year. We are convinced that the vehicle is competitive enough to compete against the other Rally2 vehicles.”
“Making major changes to a vehicle for a single season simply doesn’t make sense for us,” says Millener. “We can’t guarantee anything, but I can guarantee that we want to be there.”
- Formula 1Alessandro Zanardi passed away at the age of 59
- Formula 1Miami Friday analysis: McLaren breaks Mercedes dominance
- Formula 1Turnaround in Miami: Has Mercedes already found its champion?
- Formula 1FIA blunder in Miami: Alexander Albon’s qualifying only revoked afterwards
“The Rally2 vehicle can be managed with a more realistic budget. I hope we can be there with it. The goal is not only to think about 2027 but about how we develop a new vehicle. Because that is the future and more important than competing one year with the Rally2 vehicle.”
Read more Disappointment in Sprint Qualifying: Russell «surprised» by Ferrari and McLaren
