Ford reveals more details about 2027 WEC LMDh challenger

Ford has appointed ORECA as chassis partner for its return to the top-tier of sportscar racing in the 2027 World Endurance Championship, having revealed more details about its LMDh programme.

The Blue Oval confirmed at the end of January that it would join the growing LMDh ranks and return for its first full factory bid at outright Le Mans 24 Hours glory for over 40 years.

It has now announced a partnership with ORECA, which has already supplied the chassis for the Acura and Alpine LMDh challengers and is working with fellow newcomer Genesis on its project.

Ford has also revealed that Red Bull Powertrains programme director Dan Sayers will move across to head up the Hypercar operation.

Sayers had played a key role in developing Red Bull’s 2026 Formula 1 engine in a project that has received factory support from Ford.

Prior to that, he had a long stint at Prodrive where he was Aston Martin Racing technical director and oversaw development of the current generation of Aston Martin race cars.

“To be able to partner with ORECA is a proud moment for Ford,” said the manufacturer’s CEO Jim Farley. “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.”

Sayers added: “Ford Performance is taking on so many different challenges around the racing world, but to lead Ford back to its spiritual home at Le Mans was a challenge I could not turn down.

“Having previously led Aston Martin to multiple Le Mans class victories, the opportunity to take overall honours with Ford is something very special.

“I have loved working on the F1 programme with Red Bull Ford Powertrains so this feels a lot like joining a different part of the same family.”

No further details were announced about the engine being used to power Ford’s LMDh machine and there was also no reference to whether the brand will tackle the IMSA SportsCar Championship alongside the WEC in 2027.

“The chassis partner and the programme head for any major factory programme are foundational elements,” said Mark Rushbrook, Ford Performance global director.

Ford has an illustrious Le Mans history with the GT40

Photo by: Motorsport Images

“ORECA and Dan Sayers give us the right platform to build this entire programme.

“We have all been working closely since these decisions were made, and every step has proven correct.

“We are two years away from sitting on the grid at Le Mans with our Ford WEC Hypercar programme and we now have two of the key building blocks to a successful return to prototype racing at this great race.”