Ford returns to FIA WEC in 2027

Highlighting the brand’s engineering prowess

Ford Motor Company has announced its highly anticipated return to the pinnacle of prototype sports car racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) in 2027. This move aims to reclaim the magic and success that Ford achieved nearly 60 years ago.

Ford Performance will spearhead the initiative, fielding an entire factory team in the FIA WEC. The team’s primary target will be the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the sport’s most gruelling and prestigious race. Ford’s history at Le Mans is storied, with the company securing four consecutive overall victories between 1966 and 1969 at this iconic endurance event in Le Mans, France.

In recent times, Ford has concentrated on class victories, notably in 2016 with the Ford GT in the GTLM class and more recently with the Ford Mustang GT3. This return to the top tier of endurance racing marks a significant shift in Ford’s motorsport strategy.

Bill Ford, the Executive Chair of Ford Motor Company, said: “We are entering a new era for performance and racing at Ford. You can see it from what we are doing on-road and off-road. When we race, we race to win. And no track or race 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, shocked the world, and beat Ferrari again. I am thrilled that we are returning to Le Mans and competing at the highest level of endurance racing. We are ready to challenge the world once again and ‘go like hell!’”

The FIA World Endurance Championship’s CEO, Frédéric Lequien, welcomed Ford’s return, saying: “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 a testament to the championship’s stellar momentum and growth.”

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), which organises the 24 Hours of Le Mans, also shared his excitement: “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.”

Ford’s return is expected to bring a new level of competition and excitement to the FIA WEC. The company’s history at Le Mans, characterised by its legendary battles with Ferrari in the 1960s, has cemented its place in motorsport history. The renewed commitment to compete at the highest level underscores Ford’s dedication to motorsport excellence and innovation.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans remains one of motorsport’s most challenging and prestigious events. Known as the “grandfather of all endurance sports car races,” it tests the limits of both driver and machine over a continuous 24-hour period. The race is a testament to durability, strategy, and skill, making it the ultimate proving ground for automotive manufacturers.

Ford’s involvement in the FIA WEC will highlight the brand’s engineering prowess and competitive spirit. As Ford Performance leads the charge, fans and enthusiasts alike will eagerly await the 2027 season to witness the Blue Oval take on the world’s best once again. The anticipation of seeing Ford cars roar down the Mulsanne Straight, battling it out for supremacy, adds a thrilling new chapter to the company’s storied legacy in motorsport.

With Ford’s return announced, the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship is shaping up to be a landmark season. It promises intense competition and showcases the world’s most advanced automotive technologies. The countdown to Le Mans has begun, and the motorsport community is excitedly buzzing.

Image: Ford’s involvement in the FIA WEC will highlight the brand’s engineering prowess and competitive spirit. Credit: Ford