Ford Performance wants to win championships and prestigious races. This is something the company made clear while announcing its pursuit of the overall 24 Hour of Le Mans win.
According to a press release, Ford will return to the top-tier of prototype sports car racing in 2027. The company will work with chassis partner ORECA and program lead Dan Sayers while building the Ford WEC Hypercar program.
ORECA is one of the four approved chassis manufacturers for the Hypercar class. Sayers joins Ford for this endeavor after working as Program Director at Red Bull Ford Powertrains.
"Bringing Ford back to the top class at Le Mans has always been a dream for many of us including our Executive Chair Bill Ford," said Ford Motor Company President and CEO, Jim Farley. "To be able to partner with ORECA is a proud moment for Ford. We are coming back to Le Mans to win, and we aren't making that a secret.
"On Sunday, it will be exactly 56 years since we last took the top step of the overall podium here. That is long enough. In 2027, we are coming with the same level of expectation, and we are entrusting ORECA to help us take on Ferrari and the other top-class teams as we did back in the 1960's."
Building the path to 2027. pic.twitter.com/bqpL3SUb3i
— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) June 13, 2025
Ford last competed for the overall 24 Hours of Le Mans win from 1966 to 1969. The manufacturer scored four wins with the historic car using different driver lineups. The 1967 win, in particular, featured racing icons Dan Gurney and AJ Foyt in control of the GT40.
Ford has since spent its time focusing on class victories at the prestigious endurance race. The company scored one of these wins in 2016 with a Ford GTE Pro and another in 2024 with a Ford GT3.
Ford can now seek another 24 Hours of Le Mans overall win after putting the first pieces in place for its WEC Hypercar program.
"The chassis partner and the program head for any major factory program are foundational elements." said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance. "ORECA and Dan Sayers give us the right platform to build this entire program.
"We have all been working closely since these decisions were made, and every step has proven correct. We are two years away from sitting on the grid at Le Mans with our Ford WEC Hypercar program and we now have two of the key building blocks to a successful return to prototype racing at this great race."