Ford will enter the ranks of the global booming world factory prototype with a new chassis based on LMDH from 2027.
As Racer revealed earlier in January, the Blue Oval should continue his victories in the general classification during the biggest events in the Endurance sports car race, and he will start with the FIA Endurance World Championship And its marquee race, the 24 hours of Le Mans, with a factory program.
“We are entering a new era for performance and racing at Ford,” said Bill Ford. “You can see it from what we do on the road and off the road. When we run, we run to win. And there is no track or race which means more for our history than Le Mans. This is where we faced Ferrari and won in the 1960s. This is where we came back 50 years later and shocked the world and beaten Ferrari again. I am delighted that we returned to Le Mans and that we compete at the highest level of endurance racing. We are ready to challenge the world again, and “Go ahead like hell!” »»
No details on the team, the number of cars, the chassis supplier or the engine choice has been provided, but Racer understands that Ford has seriously examined the partnership with Dallara to make its hypercar / GTP – Dallara model makes it that MHYBRID V8 of BMW and Cadillac de Cadillac and Cadillac .r – before finally deciding to continue its alignment with Multimatic, which produced the championship and Rolex Porsche 963 at 24.
Beyond his famous victories in Le Mans over 50 years ago, Ford has made very few projects in factor prototype races. Its IMSA GTP programs in the 1980s, first with a front motor car and then a rear engine machine, as well as a brief effort for Ford Europe in the WEC in a similar time, a short prototype of Daytona In Dawnala to Dawn of the DP formula, and a deeper commitment with Meyer Shank Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing during the second -generation DP era include most of the brand’s incursions outside the Endurance competition based on GT.
Returning to Le Mans, where Ford won its debut in the GTE class with the GT model in 2016, the American automaker will continue the global victories during the largest international racing in the world.
The official announcement, made in Northern Carolina, also included IMSA participants, where the new Ford LMDH should join the GTP class per year or two after the launch in 2027 in the WEC hypercar category.
“This is a wonderful news to welcome Ford to the higher level of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in almost 60 years,” said the president of the West automobile, Pierre Fillon, who directs the event. “It is a brand that has always had a narrow affinity with this very special race, and the story shows that Ford does not compete to finish second. The renewal of its famous rivalry with Ferrari is really an exciting perspective. »»