Ford Announces 2027 Le Mans Program
Ford is making a full-factory return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027, with a new LMDh prototype competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
The announcement made in Charlotte, North Carolina, confirmed Ford will challenge for overall victory at Le Mans for the first time since its mythical GT40 wins from 1966 to 1969. This is the third time Ford is officially going after Ferrari at Le Mans. The first time, Ford ended Ferrari's six-year domination, before going on to enjoy four years of glory. Ferrari wouldn't take another overall win at Le Mans until 2023 when the Scuderia returned to the top class. Ferrari backed that up with another win in 2024.
The details remain basically nonexistent, but Ford has confirmed it will build an LMDh car—known as GTP in America—the cost-controlled prototype category designed for both WEC and IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
LMDh regulations require manufacturers to use a chassis from one of four approved suppliers—Multimatic, Dallara, Oreca, or Ligier—and a standardized hybrid system while allowing room for brand-specific bodywork and internal combustion engines.
Ford has yet to announce a chassis supplier, but Multimatic appears to be the logical choice. The Canadian firm has strong ties to Ford, having developed the GT road and race cars and currently manufacturing the Mustang GT3. Additionally, Multimatic builds the Porsche 963 LMDh chassis, the most successful car in the category so far. RACER claims Ford has already agreed to work with Multimatic, but there are rumors Dallara and Oreca are in the mix.
It's unclear if Ford's LMDh car will use a version of the 5.4L Coyote V8 found in the current Mustang GT3, or if the company will opt for a twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 like it did for the GT program. V8 engines do seem to dominate, with Cadillac, Porsche, and BMW all using naturally aspirated or turbocharged eight-cylinder power.
Another unknown is Ford’s racing team partner. Chip Ganassi Racing, which previously ran Ford’s GTLM program, could be an option, especially now that its association with Cadillac’s LMDh project has ended. Ford has not confirmed whether the program will extend to IMSA, but given LMDh’s dual eligibility, an entry in IMSA’s GTP class is more than likely.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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I dislike spec classes and this sounds like one. Specified chassis choices. Specified hybrid system. Blech! The last time Ford won in 1969, the FIA basically outlawed their cars. If you can't beat them make them illegal. I won't be following.
Pretty much the same in F1. All the cars are cookie cutter spec cars nowadays. I cancelled my subscription to F1TV and won't be following them either. The race cars nowadays may be fast but there's no variety. They all look the same with minor details maybe different and different paint schemes.
I long for the days when the companies designed their cars they way they wanted, like the 6 wheel F1 car or the H16 engine, the V10s and V8s naturally aspirated. They sounded like race cars. Turbos make great power but they ruin the sound of the engines.
I say "Give them a width and a length and an engine size and then let them have at it.
Theoretically, having spec race cars puts more emphasis on determining WHO is the 'best driver' instead of the best race cars or best race team. Some racing fans are more into the driver than the racecar, so putting the drivers into "equal" or near equivalent race cars helps 'level out' the playing field.