Ford is launching an in-house race team in the United Kingdom to compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar class starting in 2027. The American automaker revealed on Thursday that its new LMDh programme, created in partnership with French motorsport specialist ORECA, will be directly managed by Ford Racing instead of relying on an external team.
Ford Racing to Independently Manage Hypercar Project
Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Racing, emphasized that this approach departs from the traditional model used by many manufacturers and even Ford’s own history. He stated,
“Breaking from the traditional model of many manufacturers – and often our own model in the past – Ford Racing will oversee and manage every aspect of our prototype sportscar racing project.”
Rushbrook explained that Ford is choosing to build the programme internally rather than contracting out management, aiming to embed the company’s own passion deeply into the project’s foundation.
At Ford Racing, competition runs through our veins and, as ‘America’s Race Team’, it seems only right that we carry the banner ourselves.
– Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Racing
Rushbrook added that managing the team internally provides more agility during races and improves the efficiency of translating racing technologies into road car development. He remarked this structure
gives us the ability to react more quickly on track, enhancing our competitiveness
and
allows us to bring technology back to our road cars more effectively and efficiently than ever before
.
New Ford Team Established at Banbury Facility with Technical Partners
The dedicated race team will be headquartered in a newly established facility in Banbury, UK. Alongside the team, motorsport consultancy Venture Engineering, based in Witney, will provide technical and operational support to assist with the programme’s development.
Dan Sayers to Lead Ford’s LMDh Programme
Leading Ford’s LMDh initiative is Dan Sayers, who was announced as the programme manager at the Le Mans 24 Hours WEC round held in June. Sayers brings extensive motorsport experience, having transferred from Red Bull Powertrains, where he directed the powertrain division responsible for the Honda F1 engine’s development. Previously, he contributed to Prodrive’s Aston Martin Racing projects and oversaw development of the Vantage GTE and GT3 cars released in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The Ford Hypercar project will draw on resources from across Ford Racing’s global network, including key facilities in Dearborn, Michigan, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Red Bull Ford Powertrains, responsible for the upcoming Ford-badged Formula 1 engine debuting next season, is also recognized as part of this extended team effort.
Building a Passionate and Skilled Racing Workforce
Rushbrook acknowledged that creating the full team before the 2027 season begins will be a significant challenge. He noted,
Between now and the 2027 WEC season opening round, we will need to not only build the car itself but every part of the team as well,
highlighting the complexity of assembling personnel and resources. He expanded,
Every role needs to be filled and that is no small task because we aren’t just filling the positions, we are building a team culture which mirrors that of Ford Racing: passionate and driven by a need to be the best.
To staff the testing and race operations, Ford is actively
speaking to top development engineers and technicians to staff our testing and race programmes
, signaling a strong recruitment drive to secure high-caliber talent.
Ford’s Strategic Move Into Hypercar Racing
Earlier this year, in January, Ford announced its commitment to join the Hypercar category in the WEC using an LMDh car. The partnership with ORECA was confirmed at the Le Mans event in June, alongside the appointment of Dan Sayers as manager.
While specifics about the internal combustion engine powering the LMDh remain undisclosed, Ford has indicated the engine will be developed internally rather than sourced externally. There are hints that the power unit will be naturally aspirated instead of turbocharged, though no formal confirmation has been released.
Implications for Ford and the WEC Landscape
Ford’s decision to take full control of its Hypercar programme reflects a strategic emphasis on integrating competition with road car technology and fostering a unified team culture. By basing operations in the UK and combining expertise from its global network and new partners like Venture Engineering, Ford aims to accelerate its competitiveness in the WEC.
As the 2027 season approaches, assembling a cohesive and passionate team under Dan Sayers’ leadership will be essential for Ford’s success on the global motorsport stage. The move also underscores Ford’s commitment to endurance racing, building on its historic legacy while adapting to new challenges in prototype sportscar competition.
