The FIA has confirmed the list of manufacturers registered for the 2018 WRC, and with it the return of the Ford name to the championship for the first time since 2012.
After five seasons of below the radar involvement with long-term WRC partner M-Sport, Ford will adopt a higher profile in 2018 when the British-based team will be known as the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team.
The change reflects Ford’s increased technical support for the championship-winning M-Sport squad, so it can continue to develop the Fiesta World Rally Car.
This additional commitment is believed to have been a key part of Sébastien Ogier’s demands before he would sign for the squad for 2018.
Beyond the return of the Blue Oval, there are no surprises to next year’s entries, and no name changes to the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT or Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT.
source: wrc.com
