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Ford Confirms Factory Hypercar Program for 2027 Debut

Blue Oval commits to full factory top-class LMDh program for WEC beginning in 2027…

Photo: Drew Gibson/Ford

Ford Motor Company will fight for overall wins in the FIA World Endurance Championship and make its top-flight return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans beginning in 2027, following confirmation that that American automaker will build and race a LMDh car.

Announced on Thursday evening during Ford Performance’s ‘Season Launch’ event, Ford confirmed it will enter a full factory team in the world championship’s Hypercar category.

Further details on the program have not been released.

No mention was made of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and if a possible parallel program could be in the cards.

The confirmation of Ford’s factory LMDh program comes months after Ford Performance global motorsports director Mark Rushbrook had acknowledged it was evaluating a prototype effort, with work on the project having reportedly intensified in recent weeks.

It will mark Ford’s first top-class factory prototype effort at Le Mans since its C100 Group C car in 1982, although Ford engines have powered several prototypes at the French endurance classic, including models from Riley & Scott and Panoz in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Between 1966 and 1969, Ford captured four consecutive overall victories at Le Mans with the legendary GT40 and won the GTE-Pro class in its return to the race in 2016 with the Ford GT that served as a four-year program in both the WEC and WeatherTech Championship.

Ford currently competes in the GT3 ranks with a Multimatic-built Mustang, including a factory-run effort that took GTD Pro class honors in last weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“We are entering a new era for performance and racing at Ford,” said Ford Motor Company Executive Chair Bill Ford. “You can see it from what we’re doing on-road and off-road.

“When we race, we race to win. And there is no track or race that means more to our history than Le Mans.

“It is where we took on Ferrari and won in the 1960s. It is where we returned 50 years later and shocked the world and beat Ferrari again.

“I am thrilled that we’re going back to Le Mans and competing at the highest level of endurance racing. We are ready to once again challenge the world, and ‘go like hell!’”

Ford becomes the eighth manufacturer to officially commit to the LMDh platform and is set to be at least the tenth OEM to enter the WEC’s Hypercar class in 2027, joining Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche, Toyota and beginning next year, Genesis.

“It is wonderful news to welcome Ford back to the top level of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in almost 60 years,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.

“It is a brand that has always had a close affinity with this very special race, and history shows that Ford does not compete to finish second. The renewal of its famous rivalry with Ferrari is truly an exciting prospect.”

WEC CEO Frederic Lequien added: “Ford has been synonymous with success both on and off-track for decades, and we are delighted that the company has chosen the FIA World Endurance Championship for its latest challenge.

“To have at least ten major automotive brands committed to the series’ top-tier in 2027 is testament to the championship’s stellar momentum and growth.”

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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