LE MANS, France – Ford Motor Company will return to the top-tier of prototype sports car racing in 2027, and the Dearborn-based manufacturer revealed two key pieces of its program during the leadup to the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Ford WEC Hypercar program, which is set to make its debut at the season-opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in less than two years, announced its chassis partner, ORECA, and its program lead, Dan Sayers, on Friday, June 13.
Against the backdrop of the largest gathering of Mustang race cars to ever compete at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Ford President and CEO Jim Farley announced Ford will be partnering with renowned chassis supplier ORECA for the forthcoming 2027 Hypercar program. Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance, was also on hand to name veteran motorsports director Dan Sayers as the WEC Hypercar Program Manager joining Ford from his current role 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.”
Leading Race Car Manufacturer ORECA Selected as Chassis Partner
Ford will partner with French race car manufacturer ORECA as the chassis supplier of its WEC Hypercar effort. Class rules mandate that one of four manufacturers supply the chassis on which Ford can build its contender for the top step at Le Mans. Competing in the 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.
Founded in 1973 by Hugues de Chaunac, ORECA Motorsport designs, assembles, develops and fine-tunes chassis, engines and system architectures. With nearly 240 victories in LMP2 and 10 consecutive wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours, and thanks to its presence in Hypercar through three major manufacturers, ORECA is an established benchmark motorsport partner on the world stage (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS), capable of providing all services with the global and customized customer support necessary to each client from its headquarters located in Signes, Magny-Cours and Indianapolis.
"We are honored that Ford has chosen ORECA to design the future WEC Hypercar for their return to the top tier of endurance racing” offered 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 handpicked to lead Ford WEC Hypercar program
Dan Sayers joins Ford from his current role as Program Director at 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. Dan 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 Dan Sayers, Ford Performance WEC Hypercar program manager. ‘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.”
“The chassis partner and the program 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 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.”
Ford at Le Mans
Ford last contested for overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans nearly 60 years ago with the legendary Ford GT40. Since that time, Ford has focused on class victories including a win in 2016 with the Ford GTE Pro and since 2024 with the Ford Mustang GT3. Between 1966 and 1969, Ford captured four consecutive overall victories at the grandfather of all endurance sports car races in the city of Le Mans, France.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.
About Ford Performance
Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with Red Bull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford's racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing's activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok and YouTube.
Contact:
Jay Ward
Director, Global Ford Performance Motorsport Communications
(+44) (0)7500 224191
Jward35@ford.com
