Sargeant, Rockenfeller, Priaulx Confirmed in Ford Hypercar

Photo: Ford Racing

Ford Racing has confirmed the first three drivers for its factory Hypercar program in the FIA World Endurance Championship that will debut in 2027, naming Logan Sargeant, Mike Rockenfeller and Seb Priaulx.

The trio were announced on Thursday evening during Ford Racing’s ‘Season Launch’ event in Detroit.

Rockenfeller and Priaulx have been part of Multimatic Motorsports’ Ford Mustang GT3 program in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, while Sargeant is set to become the first American driver since Dane Cameron in 2023 to compete full-time in WEC’s top class.

The ex-Formula 1 driver, who turned laps in Proton Competition’s Mustang GT3 in last November’s WEC Bahrain rookie test, was widely linked to be joining the ‘Blue Oval’ for its in-house program.

Both Rockenfeller, a former Audi LMP1 factory driver, and Priaulx have reduced three-race programs with Ford Multimatic Motorsports in the IMSA GTD Pro class this year, having been replaced by Ben Barker and Dennis Olsen.

“Seb and Rocky are already part of the Ford family, having proven the Mustang GT3’s mettle with two wins in IMSA last year,” said Ford Racing WEC Hypercar program manager Dan Sayers.

“Seb is a pure, natural talent; Rocky is the veteran who has seen it all and won it all.

“They are joined by Logan Sargeant, who comes to us fresh from the F1 circuit, bringing a level of technical sophistication and high-downforce experience that is vital for a program of this scale.

“Having an American back in a Ford at Le Mans feels right.

“It’s a nod to giants like Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt, who showed the world in 1967 what happens when American grit meets global ambition.”

Sportscar365 understands Ford is likely to take a similar approach to Genesis in having four full season pilots and two additional drivers for the long-distance endurance races in Qatar and Bahrain plus the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It’s believed that reigning IMSA GTP champion Matt Campbell, who is only confirmed at Porsche Penske Motorsport this year for a limited season campaign, is in the mix for one of the two remaining seats.

Coyote V8 to Power Yet-to-be-Named Hypercar

Ford also confirmed the powertrain for its ORECA-chassied LMDh car, having opted for a normally aspirated 5.4-liter Coyote V8 engine, developed in-house with Ford’s team in Dearborn, Mich. alongside Red Bull Ford Powertrains.

It’s understood to be a derivative of the the same V8 powerplant that’s used in the Mustang GT3, Mustang GT4 and Mustang Dark Horse R.

“We have spent the last year in the trenches, and while the main event is still ahead of us, the soul of this machine is already beginning to roar,” said Sayers.

“That soul is the engine. It is more than just a component; it is the identity of the car.

“When you hear a Ford coming down the Mulsanne Straight at three in the morning, you shouldn’t have to look at the badge to know who it is. That is why we chose the Coyote.

“This V8 is a bridge between the legends of 1966 and the future of 2027.”

John Dagys

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