Ford goes all in: Blue oval unveils first 2027 hypercar drivers and confirms new in house V8 powertrain
Ford Racing, launching a full factory hypercar programme in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and ORECA, designing as well as developing the chassis for Ford’s hypercar. Have announced the first three drivers for its 2027 hypercar entry as the company also confirmed it will run in house, naturally aspirated V8 engine for the programme. With Ford positioning themselves for an aggressive return to global endurance racing, aiming to compete for wins and championships.
The in house V8 engine is described as central to the car’s identity as Ford wants the fans to recognise the sound of a Ford on the Mulsanne Straight without seeing the badge.
Dan Sayers, Ford Racing Hypercar Programme Manager said: “When you hear a Ford coming down the Mulsanne Straight at three in the morning, you shouldn’t have to look at the badge to know who it is.”
So by signing experienced drivers like Mike Rockenfeller and rising talents like Logan Sargeant along with Sebastian Priaulx signals Ford’s intent to be competitive from day one.
It was already known that Ford’s first hypercar would use a chassis designed and developed by experienced French organisation, ORECA. It has also been revealed that the car will be powered by a naturally aspirated, 5.4 litre V8 engine, which for the first time in the company’s history will be produced entirely in house with the support of Red Bull Ford Powertrains.
Sayers added: “T build a hypercar programme from a blank sheet of paper to a Le Mans start line in just two years is, by any objective measure, almost impossible, but at Ford Racing, making the impossible possible is the only way we know how to work.”
Sharing the same manufacturer as the Mustang LMGT3 and mated to a spec hybrid system, the choice will make Ford’s new challenger only the third non-turbocharged in the WEC hypercar field in 2027, alongside the Cadillac V-Series.R and Aston Martin Valkyrie.
On the driving front, three names were confirmed at the season launch with the manufacturer opting for a blend of youth and experience as it prepares to take on a high calibre grid of similarly hungry hypercar rivals.
Sayers added: “Seb is a pure, natural talent, ‘Rocky’ is the veteran who has seen it all and won it all while Sargeant brings a level of technical sophistication and high downforce experience that is vital for a programme of this scale.”
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