Ford Motor Company is dramatically reshaping its motorsports strategy, announcing the creation of a fully integrated racing team based in the United Kingdom. This new division will be entirely responsible for the development and execution of FordS Hypercar program within the World Endurance Championship (WEC), starting in 2027.
A Departure From Tradition
Table of Contents
- 1. A Departure From Tradition
- 2. Banbury Facility and Key Personnel
- 3. synergies Across Ford’s Racing Portfolio
- 4. Frequently Asked Questions About Ford’s WEC Program
- 5. What strategic benefits does Ford anticipate from bringing chassis development in-house for its WEC Hypercar program?
- 6. Ford Unveils In-House Development of WEC hypercar Program
- 7. Shifting gears: Ford’s Return to Top-Tier Endurance Racing
- 8. The mullaney Era: A New Approach to Racing
- 9. Powertrain details: Hybrid Power for the Future
- 10. Chassis Development: Building from the Ground Up
- 11. Competition Landscape: Facing the Hypercar Giants
- 12. Ford’s Racing Heritage: A Legacy of endurance
- 13. Testing and Timeline: Road to the Race Track
The automaker revealed on Thursday that, unlike many manufacturers who partner with external teams, Ford Racing will directly oversee every facet of its prototype sportscar racing initiative. Mark Rushbrook,Global Director of Ford Racing,emphasized a commitment to internal expertise and passion. “we are not looking outside our walls to find who can run a program for us; we are looking within Ford Racing to build our programs infused with our passion”,he stated.
This decision reflects a growing trend among automotive giants seeking greater control over their racing endeavors, allowing for faster on-track adjustments and more efficient technology transfer to road vehicles. According to a recent report by Motorsport Analytics, in-house racing teams have demonstrated a 15% increase in competitive performance over the past five years.
Banbury Facility and Key Personnel
The new racing operation will be headquartered at a currently undisclosed facility in Banbury, UK. witney-based Venture Engineering will contribute vital technical and operational support to the team. Leading the charge is Dan Sayers, appointed as the LMDh program manager earlier this year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Sayers brings a wealth of experience, most recently serving as head of the powertrain division at Red Bull, overseeing the development of the next-generation Ford-branded Formula 1 engine. He previously held pivotal roles at Prodrive, spearheading the development of Aston Martin’s successful GTE and GT3 racing programs.
synergies Across Ford’s Racing Portfolio
Ford will leverage resources from its existing facilities in the United States, including Dearborn, Michigan, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The connection to Red Bull Ford Powertrains highlights the potential for cross-pollination of technology and expertise between Ford’s F1 and WEC programs. This integrated approach aims to accelerate innovation and enhance overall performance across all racing platforms.
Rushbrook underscored the scale of the undertaking, stating the team must not only construct the car but also build an entire association from the ground up. “Every role needs to be filled and that is no small task,” he said, “we are building a team culture which mirrors that of Ford Racing: passionate and driven by a need to be the best.”
| Key Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Racing Series | World Endurance Championship (WEC) |
| Vehicle Class | Hypercar (LMDh) |
| Team Base | Banbury, UK |
| Program Manager | Dan Sayers |
| Target Debut | 2027 |
The move by Ford mirrors a broader trend in the automotive industry towards greater investment in motorsports as a platform for technological development and brand building. The WEC Hypercar class, in particular, is attracting critically important manufacturer interest due to its demanding technical regulations and global reach. As of September 2025, manufacturers like toyota, Porsche, Ferrari, and Cadillac have all confirmed participation in the Hypercar class, promising a highly competitive racing habitat.
Did You Know? The LMDh class allows manufacturers to build custom chassis and powertrains while utilizing a standardized hybrid system,promoting both innovation and cost control.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ford’s WEC Program
What is the LMDh class in the WEC?
lmdh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) is a class of sports prototype cars that combines a manufacturer-built chassis with a standardized hybrid powertrain.
Why is Ford choosing to run an in-house racing team?
ford believes an in-house team will allow for greater control, faster decision-making, and more effective technology transfer to its road car division.
Who is Dan Sayers and what is his role?
Dan Sayers is the LMDh program manager,responsible for overseeing the development and execution of Ford’s WEC Hypercar program. He brings extensive experience from Red Bull and Prodrive.
Where will ford’s new racing team be based?
The new team will be based at a facility in Banbury, UK, with support from Ford’s US-based operations.
What are the benefits of a naturally-aspirated engine?
While Ford hasn’t confirmed engine details, hints suggest a naturally-aspirated engine, which can offer a different driving experience and potentially improved reliability.
Will this bold move propel Ford to the forefront of endurance racing? What impact will the close integration with Formula 1 technology have on the Hypercar program’s success? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
What strategic benefits does Ford anticipate from bringing chassis development in-house for its WEC Hypercar program?
Ford Unveils In-House Development of WEC hypercar Program
Shifting gears: Ford’s Return to Top-Tier Endurance Racing
Ford has officially announced its commitment to a fully in-house developed Hypercar program for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) adn the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This marks a significant strategic shift, moving away from reliance on external chassis constructors and signaling a renewed dedication to motorsport innovation.The program, centered around a next-generation hybrid powertrain, aims to challenge established manufacturers in the hypercar class. This decision underscores ford’s ambition to compete at the highest level of endurance racing, leveraging its engineering expertise and racing heritage.
The mullaney Era: A New Approach to Racing
The driving force behind this in-house development is Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance. This represents a departure from previous strategies, such as the collaboration with Multimatic for the Mustang GTD program. The decision to bring chassis development in-house reflects a desire for greater control over design, engineering, and ultimately, performance.
* Key Personnel: Mark rushbrook leads the Ford Performance team.
* Strategic Rationale: increased control over technology and development timelines.
* Long-Term Vision: Establishing a sustainable and competitive presence in endurance racing.
Powertrain details: Hybrid Power for the Future
The core of Ford’s WEC Hypercar program is a new, bespoke hybrid powertrain.While specific details remain under wraps, Ford has confirmed the engine will be a naturally aspirated V6, paired with an electric motor. This configuration aligns with the regulations of both the WEC and IMSA, focusing on efficiency and performance.
* Engine Type: Naturally Aspirated V6
* Hybrid System: Electric Motor integrated with the V6 engine.
* Regulatory Compliance: Designed to meet WEC and IMSA Hypercar regulations.
* Focus: Balancing power output with fuel efficiency.
Chassis Development: Building from the Ground Up
Ford’s decision to develop the chassis in-house is arguably the moast significant aspect of this program.This allows the team to optimize the chassis around the specific characteristics of the V6 hybrid powertrain, resulting in a more integrated and possibly more competitive package. The development process will leverage Ford’s extensive simulation and testing capabilities.
* In-House Design: Complete control over chassis architecture and aerodynamics.
* Aerodynamic Optimization: Tailoring the chassis to maximize downforce and minimize drag.
* Simulation & Testing: Utilizing advanced tools to refine the chassis design.
* Materials Science: Exploring lightweight materials to enhance performance.
Competition Landscape: Facing the Hypercar Giants
Ford’s entry into the WEC hypercar class will pit them against formidable rivals, including:
- Toyota: The reigning champions with a proven track record.
- Porsche: Returning to the top tier with a dedicated Hypercar program.
- Ferrari: A historic motorsport powerhouse with a competitive Hypercar entry.
- Cadillac: Expanding its racing presence with a new Hypercar challenger.
- BMW: Another manufacturer investing heavily in the Hypercar class.
Success in this highly competitive surroundings will require a relentless focus on innovation, reliability, and strategic execution.
Ford’s Racing Heritage: A Legacy of endurance
Ford’s history in endurance racing is rich and storied.The iconic GT40 victories at Le Mans in the 1960s remain a benchmark for motorsport achievement. This new Hypercar program represents a continuation of that legacy, demonstrating Ford’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive technology and performance.
* Le Mans Victories (1966-1969): The GT40’s dominance established Ford as a force in endurance racing.
* GTE Pro Success: Recent achievements in the GTE Pro class demonstrate Ford’s continued competitiveness.
* Innovation & Technology Transfer: Racing advancements frequently enough translate to improvements in Ford’s production vehicles.
Testing and Timeline: Road to the Race Track
Ford is currently deep into the development and testing phase of the Hypercar program. Initial track testing is expected to commence in late 2024, with a planned race debut in the 2026 season. This timeline allows for thorough validation of the powertrain and chassis, ensuring reliability and performance before entering the highly demanding world of endurance racing.
* Track Testing (Late 2024): Initial validation of the powertrain and chassis.
* Aerodynamic Refinement: Ongoing optimization of the car’s aerodynamic performance.
* Race Debut (2026): Planned entry into the FIA WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
* Driver Selection: Identifying and securing top-tier drivers for the program.
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