Ford Unveils Key Specs of 2027 WEC LMDh Racer

Ford has shared new updates about its 2027 World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMDh project. The American manufacturer confirmed that ORECA will supply the chassis for the car.

This move marks Ford’s first full factory push for an outright Le Mans 24 Hours victory in more than four decades. At the end of January, Ford made it official that it would compete in the LMDh category, joining big names already present in the series.

The company also announced that Dan Sayers, the program director of Red Bull Powertrains, will lead the Hypercar operation as Program Manager. Sayers brings a strong background, having been a major player in the development of Red Bull’s 2026 Formula 1 engine—a project that already featured Ford factory support.

Before that, he spent several years at Prodrive as Aston Martin Racing’s technical director, where he helped the brand to multiple class victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Image credit: performance.ford.com

Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO, said that partnering with ORECA is a significant step for the manufacturer. He made clear Ford’s goal is not just to participate, but to challenge for the top podium at Le Mans.

Farley pointed out that it will have been 56 years since Ford last led the overall standings at the legendary race, noting the company is ready to fight top teams like Ferrari as it did in the 1960s.

Mark Rushbrook, Ford Performance global director, explained that having both the right chassis partner and program leader are essential elements for such a major factory effort. He said that starting work with ORECA and Sayers early has proven to be the correct decision and sets the groundwork two years ahead of Ford’s planned return to the Le Mans grid.

Specific details about the engine that will power the new Ford LMDh car have not been revealed. There is also no information yet on whether Ford plans to enter the IMSA SportsCar Championship alongside the WEC campaign in 2027.

Image credit: grassrootsmotorsports.com

However, the partnership with ORECA is significant, as ORECA already supplies the chassis for the Acura and Alpine LMDh contenders, and is involved with fellow newcomer Genesis.

Sayers said that taking on this new role and leading Ford’s return to Le Mans is a special challenge he could not turn down. Having previously tasted success at the legendary race with Aston Martin, he now has the opportunity to fight for overall honors with Ford, a brand deeply connected to Le Mans history.

This announcement puts Ford in a strong position as it prepares for prototype competition on the global stage. The company’s journey to its 2027 WEC debut continues, and fans will be watching closely as more updates about the project are released in the coming months.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.