Ford Ponders Le Mans Hypercar: A Return to Top-Flight Endurance Racing?
Ford is seriously contemplating a thrilling return to the pinnacle of endurance racing, with plans to field a hybrid hypercar that could potentially go head-to-head with Ferrari for the first time since 1969 in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. This ambitious move would mark Ford's re-entry into the upper echelons of sports car racing, a realm they haven't dominated since the iconic GT40, barring the short-lived C100 of the early 1980s.
With Ford's recent focus on revitalizing its motorsport division, a hypercar at the forefront of the grid at Le Mans seems more possible than ever. Mark Rushbrook, the global director of Ford Performance, has hinted at this exciting prospect. In a conversation with Autocar, Rushbrook emphasized that Ford is «constantly studying or looking at where we can or should race,» suggesting that Le Mans could be their next big target.
Ford Performance is already competing across a diverse array of motorsports, including the World Endurance Championship GT3 class, Dakar Rally, World Rally Championship, NASCAR, Australian Supercars, and Pikes Peak. The brand is also set to make a grand return to Formula 1 in 2026 with Red Bull Racing. As Rushbrook pointed out, Ford is «competing in more places than any other manufacturer,» but notably absent from their portfolio are entries in the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) prototype classes.
When asked about the possibility of adding a hypercar to Ford's motorsport roster, Rushbrook stated, «We need to be aware of all opportunities.» He highlighted the growing global visibility and competitiveness of endurance racing, particularly with the FIA's decision to allow LMH and LMDh cars to race together, as key factors driving Ford's interest.
The LMH class offers greater design and engineering freedom, while the LMDh class mandates the use of specific components, including an electric motor and a chassis from one of four licensed constructors. Rushbrook did not indicate which class Ford might prefer, leaving enthusiasts to speculate on the direction Ford might take.
Ford first hinted at its hypercar ambitions in 2020 with the unveiling of the P1 hypercar, a futuristic, virtual GT racer designed for online esports competitions. Although no plans for a running version have been announced, a full-scale concept was later built, offering a glimpse of what a Ford hypercar might look like on the track.
Ford CEO Jim Farley, a passionate motorsport enthusiast and racing driver, is a strong advocate for the company's racing endeavors. However, Farley has made it clear that any motorsport project must be commercially viable, meaning that Ford's hypercar program, if it materializes, would likely be run by a specialist motorsport outfit rather than Ford itself.
While Ford is sharpening its motorsport focus, the company remains cautious about entering any pure-electric motorsport series in the near future. Rushbrook noted that, although Ford has had success with electric demonstrators like the F-150 Lightning Supertruck and Mustang Mach-E 1400, there is «no urgency» to join a full-electric series. However, Ford remains open to the possibility if a series emerges that aligns with its strategic goals.
As Ford ponders a return to Le Mans with a hypercar, the racing world eagerly anticipates whether this iconic brand will once again compete for glory at one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world. A Ford endurance racing hypercar could not only electrify the grid at Le Mans but also make its mark in both the IMSA and WEC championships.