Ford Motor Company revealed at Le Mans today two key elements of its return to the top tier of prototype sports car racing in 2027.
It has confirmed, as reported on DSC earlier this year, that ORECA will be its chassis partner for its Hypercar programme set to launch at the season-opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in less than two years.
In addition, the Blue Oval announced that veteran motorsports director Dan Sayers (pictured above) will serve as the WEC Hypercar programme manager, joining Ford from his current role as programme lead at Red Bull Ford Powertrains.
Ford President and CEO Jim Farley, fresh from competing in the Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational that morning, made the announcement in the run-up to the 2025 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at Circuit de la Sarthe.
“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 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 1960s.”
Ford becomes the fourth manufacturer to work with French constructor ORECA with the announcement after Acura, Alpine and Genesis. Class rules for LMDh cars mandate that one of four manufacturers supply the chassis “spine” on which Ford can build its contender for the top step at Le Mans.
Competing initially in the WEC Hypercar class, the Ford-powered, Ford-built and Ford-raced prototype will make its Le Mans debut in the event’s 95th running in June 2027.
“We are honoured that Ford has chosen ORECA to design the future WEC Hypercar for their return to the top tier of endurance racing,” declared Hugues de Chaunac, President, ORECA Group.
“This strategic partnership is a key part of our ongoing commitment to the highest level of racing and to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. We are excited to channel all our energy, expertise, and enthusiasm into this ambitious project.
“I would like to thank Bill Ford, Jim Farley, and Mark Rushbrook for their trust. They can count on the full engagement of all our teams around the world.”
Dan Sayers joins Ford from Red Bull Ford Powertrains, where he played an instrumental part in the power unit program for the new 2026 F1 regulations from the very beginning.
Prior to that, Dan spent 10 years at Prodrive (Aston Martin Racing), starting in GT4, progressing to GT3 and leading the design and development of the V12 Vantage before becoming Technical Director and having ultimate responsibility for all motorsport programs, including the engine department.
Sayer has also worked at Ricardo, where he designed and developed motorsport transmissions for programs as diverse as LMP1 to Dakar as well as having worked in WRC with a number of different OEMs.
“Ford Performance is taking on so many different challenges around the racing world, but to lead Ford back to its spiritual home at Le Mans was a challenge I could not turn down,” said 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 program with Red Bull Ford Powertrains, so this feels a lot like joining a different part of the same family.”
Today’s announcement puts in place some important pieces of Ford’s LMDh/Hypercar program set to launch in a year and a half for the 2027 season.
“The chassis partner and the programme head for any major factory program are foundational elements,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, 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 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.”
Images © Ford
