Ford’s Historic Legacy Revived
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, 31 January 2025 – Ford Motor Company has announced its return to the pinnacle of endurance racing, confirming a full factory team entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) for the 2027 season. This bold move signals Ford’s ambition to reclaim its place among motorsport’s elite, reigniting memories of its historic four-year dominance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966 to 1969.
Ford Performance will spearhead the programme, bringing its rich heritage and cutting-edge technology to one of the most demanding racing series in the world. With the Hypercar class booming, the Blue Oval is ready to take on the best in the business, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans standing as the ultimate proving ground.
Racing to Win: A Return to Le Mans Glory
Bill Ford, Executive Chair of Ford Motor Company, expressed his enthusiasm for the brand’s renewed commitment to endurance racing:
“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!’”
Ford’s return underscores the company’s commitment to motorsport excellence, leveraging its racing heritage to compete against some of the world’s most formidable manufacturers in the hyper-competitive FIA WEC Hypercar category.
Industry Leaders Welcome Ford’s Return
The announcement has been met with widespread acclaim from motorsport’s key stakeholders, who recognise Ford’s return as a testament to the strength of endurance racing and the FIA WEC’s Hypercar regulations.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of the FIA WEC, welcomed the move, stating:
“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), the organisers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, added:
“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.”
Richard Mille, President of the FIA Endurance Commission, also highlighted the significance of Ford’s participation:
“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!”
The Road Ahead
Ford has a long and storied history at Le Mans, from its legendary triumph over Ferrari in the 1960s with the GT40 to its triumphant return with the Ford GT in 2016. The company’s renewed commitment to top-tier endurance racing underscores the strength and relevance of the FIA WEC, which continues to attract major manufacturers eager to compete in the Hypercar era.
While Ford has yet to reveal specific details about its 2027 challenger, the brand’s return to endurance racing marks a new chapter in its storied motorsport legacy. More details on Ford’s entry will be revealed in due course, but one thing is certain – the Blue Oval is back, and it’s here to win.
With Ford’s entry, the FIA WEC’s Hypercar category continues to thrive, bringing fans a golden era of endurance racing filled with legendary rivalries, cutting-edge technology, and the spirit of true competition.
