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Endurance Racing Arms Race: Ford and McLaren Set for 2027 Showdown as Hypercar Revolution Explodes

Publisher by Publisher
January 29, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Endurance Racing Arms Race: Ford and McLaren Set for 2027 Showdown as Hypercar Revolution Explodes

The golden era of endurance racing is officially in full swing, and it’s about to get even more intense. With eight powerhouse manufacturers already locked into the 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar class, the battlefield is about to welcome two more legendary names—Ford and McLaren—who are gearing up for a massive return in 2027.

After years of speculation, both brands have come to the same realization: they can’t afford to sit this one out.

The 2024 WEC grid is stacked—but it’s just the beginning

The Hypercar class is already an arms race between some of motorsport’s biggest titans. This season, Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche, Toyota, and Aston Martin are all vying for supremacy, starting with the 1812km of Qatar on February 28.

But this is just the beginning. Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, is set to join in 2026, and now Ford and McLaren are poised to reignite old rivalries in 2027.

A partnership that almost happened—until it didn’t

For years, McLaren and Ford teased fans with the possibility of a return to endurance racing. The two manufacturers had been vocal supporters of unifying technical regulations between the WEC and IMSA SportsCar Championship, ensuring that the Hypercar and GTP classes could compete on both sides of the Atlantic.

At one point, there was even talk of a joint program, with McLaren developing a Hypercar powered by a Ford engine. That partnership, however, fell apart—and the reason? A fundamental disagreement on the engine philosophy.

  • McLaren wanted a twin-turbo V6, based on its Artura hybrid supercar.
  • Ford insisted on a naturally aspirated V8, staying true to its traditional powerplant philosophy.

When neither side was willing to compromise, the collaboration collapsed—but rather than abandon their plans, both manufacturers doubled down on solo efforts.

Why Ford and McLaren can’t afford to stay on the sidelines

The decision for Ford and McLaren to finally commit to Hypercar racing isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about survival in the performance car industry.

  • Ford’s return is personal. General Motors is already stealing the spotlight in the WEC with Cadillac, and Ford CEO Jim Farley isn’t about to let Chevy have all the glory. After seeing Ford and GM battle fiercely in GTD Pro at the 24 Hours of Daytona, it became clear: Ford needs a top-class program to reclaim its Le Mans legacy.
  • McLaren’s entry is about status. Ferrari and Porsche—McLaren’s fiercest rivals in the exotic car market—are already dominating the Hypercar class. The British marque, which stunned the world by winning Le Mans in 1995 with the F1 GTR, cannot afford to be absent while its competitors write the next great chapter in endurance racing history.

Ford and McLaren finalize their battle plans

After exploring various concepts, Ford has officially committed to LMDh regulations, choosing the more cost-effective, hybrid-based platform instead of the bespoke LMH route. This means its Hypercar will be built around one of four LMP2-based chassis, following the same path as Acura, Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, and Lamborghini.

The official announcement is expected imminently, possibly as early as Friday, during Ford Performance’s 2025 program reveal in Charlotte, North Carolina.

McLaren, meanwhile, will also go the LMDh route but is expected to partner with Dallara to develop its chassis. The big reveal? June 13 at Le Mans, just one day before the 93rd running of the world’s most iconic endurance race—a poetic tribute to McLaren’s legendary 1995 victory.

The future of endurance racing is limitless

With Ford and McLaren joining an already stacked Hypercar field, the WEC’s boom era shows no signs of slowing down. The grid will soon feature ten manufacturers, ensuring ultra-competitive, manufacturer-backed battles at the Le Mans 24 Hours and beyond.

Where will it all end?

For endurance racing fans, the real question is—why would we want it to?

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