Ford Recruits Accomplished Engineers for Hypercar Program

Ford Racing has revealed several new recruits to bolster its engineering team ahead of its entry into the Hypercar class of the FIA World Endurance Championship next season.

The manufacturer has appointed former McLaren Formula E engineer Grant Clarke – who also has previous WEC experience with the TF Sport squad – as trackside engineering manager.

Ford has also recruited two successful race engineers, with Leena Gade joining having previously become the first female engineer to enjoy 24 Hours of Le Mans glory with Audi, as well as also having worked for Multimatic.

Jean-Philippe Sarrazin, who engineered the 2024 WEC title-winning Porsche Penske Motorsport entry, has also been hired.

“To compete at the top level of endurance racing, you need the best minds in the business,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Racing.

“Bringing in individuals of the caliber of Grant, Leena, and Jean-Philippe shows exactly how serious we are.

“We aren’t just showing up to the grid; we are building a world-class organization capable of winning the world’s toughest races.”

All three of the new hires are set to start with Ford immediately as it prepares its V8-powered, Oreca-chassied challenger to enter the 2027 season.

It has already revealed three of its drivers for its inaugural Hypercar campaign, with Mike Rockenfeller, Logan Sargeant and Seb Priaulx being announced in January.