Ford is set to make a triumphant return to the world of endurance racing in 2027, with the goal of reclaiming the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans title that has eluded them since 1969. This exciting announcement confirms previous reports from Autocar, detailing Ford’s plans to develop a hypercar for entry into the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in the coming years.
In a strategic shift, Ford will be transitioning from their current GT3 class Mustang to a hypercar designed to compete for an overall victory in the WEC. This marks a significant departure for the American automaker, as they have not pursued an overall win in endurance racing for decades.
Ford has opted to follow the LMDh (Le Mans Daytona Hypercar) ruleset, which allows for a higher proportion of off-the-shelf components compared to the LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) alternative. This includes using prescribed chassis from reputable manufacturers such as Dallara, Ligier, Oreca, and Multimatic, as well as a rear-axle hybrid system featuring components from Bosch, WAE, and Xtrac.
Competing against the likes of Ferrari, Peugeot, Toyota, and Aston Martin in the LMH hypercar category, Ford is poised to make a strong comeback with their new hypercar entry. The executive chairman of Ford, Bill Ford, expressed his excitement about the return to Le Mans, emphasizing the historical significance of the race for the iconic American brand.
Ford’s decision to re-enter endurance racing comes at a time when Ferrari has been dominating the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning consecutively in 2023 and 2024. While Ferrari secured the manufacturer’s title in the WEC, Ford remains determined to challenge their rivals and emerge victorious at Le Mans once again.
With Ford’s rich history at Le Mans, including famous victories over Ferrari in the 1960s and a remarkable comeback in recent years, fans can expect an intense battle on the track as the American automaker seeks to etch their name in the annals of endurance racing history once more.
