Ford Racing is continuing to accelerate its preparations ahead of its return to the pinnacle of international endurance racing next year, after announcing a series of high-profile engineering appointments to its new Hypercar programme.
The recruits bring with them a wealth of experience from the upper echelons of the sport – bolstering the Blue Oval’s bid to challenge for overall honours in the FIA World Endurance Championship and confirming the company’s commitment to operational precision.
Grant Clarke comes on-board as Trackside Engineering Manager, making the move from Formula E, where he was instrumental in managing complex systems and race strategy for McLaren. Having previously enjoyed a successful stint in FIA WEC with TF Sport, his expertise in high-pressure trackside management will be pivotal as Ford navigates the technical complexities of the fiercely-competitive Hypercar category.
The team’s line-up will be further strengthened by the addition of a pair of world-class race engineers. Leena Gade joins the programme with a decorated résumé in the discipline. Famously the first female race engineer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans – securing three victories with Audi between 2011 and 2014 – the Brit’s extensive understanding of the Circuit de la Sarthe and long-distance strategy will make her a cornerstone of Ford’s ambitions.
Alongside her, Jean-Philippe Sarrazin arrives from the Porsche Penske Motorsport camp, where he engineered the world championship-winning car in 2024. Having worked at the forefront of the current Hypercar era, the Frenchman provides Ford with immediate, relevant experience of the modern hybrid prototype landscape.
The trio of top-tier talent will integrate immediately into Ford’s development programme as the team continues its countdown to its competitive Hypercar debut in 2027.
“To compete at the top level of endurance racing, you need the best minds in the business,” acknowledged Global Director of Ford Racing, Mark Rushbrook. “Bringing in individuals of the calibre 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 organisation capable of winning the world’s toughest races.”
