As it continues to ramp up preparations ahead of its return to top-tier prototype competition in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s headlining category, Ford has revealed two key building blocks of its factory Hypercar programme.
It was revealed in January that the American automotive heavyweight will bolster FIA WEC’s burgeoning Hypercar field in 2027, some six decades on from its run of four consecutive triumphs in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966 to 1969 with the iconic GT40.
Having more recently focused on chasing class victories at La Sarthe – taking a win in LMGTE Pro in 2016 – the Dearborn-based manufacturer will rejoin the battle for overall glory with the support of chassis-supplier, ORECA, a brand that has enjoyed sustained success over the decades at the pinnacle of international endurance racing.
“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,” commented Ford Motor Company President and CEO, Jim Farley, who is on-site in France this week.
“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 a secret of that. 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 1960s.”
Founded more than half-a-century ago, the renowned French firm designs, assembles, develops and fine-tunes chassis, engines and system architectures – and is a well-established benchmark on the global motorsport stage.
“We are honoured that Ford has chosen ORECA to design the future FIA WEC Hypercar for its return to the top-tier of endurance racing,” acknowledged ORECA Group founder and President, Hugues de Chaunac. “This strategic partnership is a key part of our ongoing commitment to the highest level of racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We are excited to channel all of our energy, expertise and enthusiasm into this ambitious project.”
It was similarly confirmed at Le Mans today that Ben Sayers has been handpicked to join the Ford Hypercar project as Programme Manager, transitioning across from his current position as Programme Director at Red Bull Ford Powertrains, where he played an instrumental role in the company’s power unit programme for Formula 1’s forthcoming 2026 regulations.
Prior to that, the Briton spent ten years at Prodrive, working on the design and development of Aston Martin Racing GT4 and GT3 cars and rising through the organisation to the rank of Technical Director. He has additionally worked in off-road motorsport in the FIA World Rally Championship and on the Dakar Rally.
“Ford Performance is taking on so many different challenges around the racing world, but to lead Ford back to its spiritual home of Le Mans was a challenge I couldn’t turn down,” explained Sayers.
“Having previously led Aston Martin to multiple Le Mans class victories, the opportunity to take overall honours with Ford is something very special. I have loved working on the F1 programme with Red Bull Ford Powertrains, so this feels a lot like joining a different part of the same family.”
“The chassis partner and the programme lead for any major factory programme are foundational elements,” added Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance. “ORECA and Dan Sayers give us the right platform to build this entire programme.
“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 this great race with our Ford FIA WEC Hypercar programme, and we now have two of the key building blocks in-place for a successful return.”
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