Ford Reveals Next Steps in 2027 WEC Hypercar Plan

Ford has taken the next major step in its return to top-tier prototype racing, confirming ORECA as chassis partner and naming former Red Bull engineer Dan Sayers to lead its 2027 WEC Hypercar program.
Unveiled in the build-up to this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ford CEO Jim Farley said the goal was simple—win Le Mans outright for the first time since 1969.
“On Sunday, it will be exactly 56 years since we last took the top step here,” Farley said. “That is long enough. We are coming back to win.”
ORECA, one of the sport’s most successful constructors, will provide the chassis platform for the Ford-built Hypercar. The French manufacturer has dominated LMP2 competition and currently partners with multiple Hypercar teams. Its pedigree made it a natural choice, according to Ford Performance global boss Mark Rushbrook.
“ORECA and Dan Sayers give us the right platform,” Rushbrook said. “Every step has proven correct.”
Sayers, who was instrumental in Red Bull’s 2026 Formula 1 engine program, joins the Ford factory effort with a history of Le Mans success from his time with Aston Martin Racing. He replaces Larry Holt, who led the 2016 Ford GTE Pro project via Multimatic, though that Canadian connection is now absent.

Dan Sayers – Ford Hypercar Program Manager at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans. Image: Supplied
Sayers said the Hypercar project was too important to pass up.
“Having previously led Aston Martin to multiple Le Mans class victories, the opportunity to take overall honours with Ford is something very special,” he said.
This move follows Ford’s initial Hypercar announcement in January, confirming its intent to return to the top class of the World Endurance Championship for the first time since the GT40 era. Auto Action reported at the time that Ford’s strategy would include a bespoke prototype rather than a modified Mustang or customer-based platform: Ford Confirms Hypercar Program for 2027 WEC Campaign

Ford released a special series of liveries celebrating its success at Le Mans, past and present – Photo: Supplied
Further detail was added in April when Auto Action broke news that Ford had tested initial powertrain concepts and was leaning towards ORECA as the likely chassis partner: Ford Tipped to Link with ORECA in 2027 Hypercar Return
With this latest announcement, the pieces are quickly falling into place for Ford’s factory Hypercar return. The car is expected to debut at the 2027 WEC season opener and target outright victory at Le Mans that June—56 years since the GT40’s final triumph.