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Ford’s Shock Return to Le Mans: American Giant to Battle Ferrari Again in WEC Hypercar Showdown

Redação by Redação
February 1, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Ford’s Shock Return to Le Mans: American Giant to Battle Ferrari Again in WEC Hypercar Showdown

The American muscle is back. Ford Motor Company has officially announced its return to top-tier endurance racing, confirming its entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) Hypercar category in 2027.

This move ends nearly six decades of absence from factory-backed prototype racing, rekindling one of motorsport’s greatest rivalries—Ford vs. Ferrari at Le Mans.

Ford’s comeback is nothing short of a statement. The brand that shocked Ferrari in the 1960s, immortalized in the blockbuster film Ford v Ferrari, is ready to “go like hell” once again—this time in a modern Hypercar war against Ferrari, Porsche, Toyota, BMW, Cadillac, Peugeot, Alpine, Aston Martin, and Genesis.

A New Chapter in Ford’s Racing Legacy

The 2027 WEC announcement was made at Ford Performance’s annual season launch event in Charlotte, North Carolina, where executive chairman Bill Ford electrified the 2,000 guests and 50 global Ford drivers in attendance.

“We are entering a new era for performance and racing at Ford,” said Bill Ford. “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!’”

This announcement signals Ford’s boldest racing expansion in decades. The American automaker is not only entering the Hypercar class in WEC, but is also making a dramatic return to Formula 1 in 2026 with Red Bull Racing.

Ford vs. Ferrari: The Rivalry That Redefined Racing

Ford’s history at Le Mans is the stuff of legends.

  • 1963 – After a failed attempt to purchase Ferrari, Henry Ford II declared war on the Italian marque.
  • 1966-1969 – The Ford GT40 crushed Ferrari, winning four consecutive Le Mans titles and ending Ferrari’s dominance.
  • 2016 – Ford celebrated its 50th anniversary of the 1966 win by defeating Ferrari again with its Ford GT in the LMGTE Pro class.
  • 2023 – The Mustang LMGT3 debuted at Le Mans and secured a podium finish before winning in GTD Pro at the 24 Hours of Daytona.

Now, in 2027, Ford is ready to take on Ferrari again, this time in the most competitive Hypercar grid ever assembled.

A Hypercar Grid Like No Other

Ford’s entry into Hypercar solidifies the WEC’s position as the hottest battleground in endurance racing. The American giant joins a loaded field, featuring:

  • Ferrari (Reigning Le Mans champions)
  • Porsche (Most overall wins in Le Mans history)
  • Toyota (Five-time Le Mans winners)
  • Cadillac (Expanding their endurance footprint)
  • BMW (Returning to prototype racing)
  • Aston Martin (Legendary brand with new Hypercar ambitions)
  • Peugeot (Iconic endurance pedigree)
  • Alpine (Renault’s motorsport powerhouse)
  • Genesis (Hyundai’s high-performance arm, making its WEC debut)

WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien praised Ford’s arrival, calling it a testament to endurance racing’s golden era.

“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.”

ACO President Pierre Fillon echoed the excitement, stating:

“Ford does not compete to finish second. The renewal of its famous rivalry with Ferrari is truly an exciting prospect.”

Endurance Racing’s Golden Age Has Arrived

Ford’s return to Le Mans and WEC’s top tier marks a seismic shift in motorsport. The Hypercar revolution has reignited interest in endurance racing, attracting the biggest manufacturers in the world.

As FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille put it:

“Endurance racing’s golden age is right here, right now.”

And with Ford back in the fight, Le Mans 2027 might just be the most anticipated endurance race in history.

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