The automaker makes a historic comeback to top-tier endurance racing, marking the momentous occasion of Ford Returns to Le Mans, a grueling 24-hour test of man and machine.
Feature Image – By Kevin Decherf from Nantes, France – Ford GT40 (1965) – Chevrolet Corvette (1960), CC BY-SA 2.0
Ford to Compete in FIA World Endurance Championship
DETROIT, Mich. – Ford Motor Company is boldly returning to the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) in 2027, aiming to reclaim its legacy at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As Ford returns to Le Mans, it will mark the automaker’s reentry into the premier class of prototype sports car racing for the first time in nearly 60 years.
Aiming to Recreate Past Glory
Between 1966 and 1969, Ford made history by securing four consecutive overall victories at Le Mans, cementing its place among the elite in motorsports. Since then, the company has focused on class victories, notably in 2016 with the Ford GT in GTLM and most recently with the Ford Mustang GT3.
Bill Ford’s Vision for Racing Success
Bill Ford, Ford Motor Company Executive Chair, underscored the significance of Le Mans in Ford’s racing heritage:
“We are entering a new era for performance and racing at Ford. You can see it from what we’re doing on-road and off-road. When we race, we race to win. And there is no track or race that means more to our history than Le Mans. It is where we took on Ferrari and won in the 1960s. It is where we returned 50 years later and shocked the world and beat Ferrari again. I am thrilled that we’re going back to Le Mans and competing at the highest level of endurance racing. We are ready to once again challenge the world, and ‘go like hell!’”
FIA and ACO Leaders Welcome Ford’s Return
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of the FIA World Endurance Championship, expressed enthusiasm for Ford’s decision:
“Ford has been synonymous with success both on and off-track for decades, and we are delighted that the company has chosen the FIA World Endurance Championship for its latest challenge. To have at least ten major automotive brands committed to the series’ top-tier in 2027 is testament to the championship’s stellar momentum and growth.”
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), highlighted the revival of Ford’s legendary rivalry with Ferrari:
“It is wonderful news to welcome Ford back to the top level of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in almost 60 years. It is a brand that has always had a close affinity with this very special race, and history shows that Ford does not compete to finish second. The renewal of its famous rivalry with Ferrari is truly an exciting prospect.”
Endurance Racing’s Golden Age
Richard Mille, President of the FIA Endurance Commission, emphasized Ford’s role in the sport’s evolution:
“Ford and endurance racing are a perfect fit, as has been proven time and again. It is a brand with a long and proud motorsport heritage, and a passion for competition instilled by Henry Ford himself. The company’s return to the highest level of the discipline is further validation of the success and appeal of the current Hypercar regulations. Endurance racing’s golden age is right here, and right now!”
Future Details to Follow
Ford Performance will provide additional details on its FIA WEC and Le Mans program at a later date. With this announcement, Ford joins an elite roster of manufacturers in the global endurance racing scene, poised to make another historic run at Le Mans.
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