Ford Motor Company will return to the top tier of prototype sports car racing in 2027, competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The Dearborn-based manufacturer unveiled two key components of its program during the lead-up to this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Ford WEC Hypercar program, set to make its debut at the season-opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in less than two years, has announced French race car manufacturer ORECA as its chassis partner and Dan Sayers as the program lead. 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.

"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 1960s."

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 in the city of Le Mans, France.

For more information, read the Ford Performance announcement here.