During its 2025 Season Launch event, Ford dropped a bombshell: The Blue Oval is returning to prototype racing in 2027. Mark Rushbrook, head of Ford Performance, has now disclosed that the project is well advanced, suggesting significant progress toward the development of its forthcoming FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) entry.
Ford Mustang GT3 (left) and GT4 (right)
Speaking with Road & Track, Rushbrook revealed that Ford Performance has been hard at work on its prototype racing program, despite speaking to the contrary as recently as two years ago. The race car will be built to the Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) specs, operating as a factory Ford team. LMDh entries use a spec hybrid system and transmission joined to a safety cell from constructors Dallara, Oreca, Multimatic, or Ligier. Beyond the safety cell, individual manufacturers are on the hook for the rest, including the engine and chassis.
While Rushbrook wasn’t ready to go into detail, he did indicate that Ford Performance has chosen a chassis constructor. He also disclosed that The Blue Oval’s racing arm has already sorted out engine specs, too, including cylinder count and displacement. Currently, prototype racing competitors commonly harness turbocharged V6 or turbocharged V8 engines. Cadillac, meanwhile, is the only manufacturer in the division to utilize a naturally aspirated V8. For reference, Ford uses a naturally aspirated eight-cylinder in its Ford Mustang GT3 race cars, along with its Ford Raptor T1+ racer.
At this time, while Ford Performance has confirmed plans to race internationally in the FIA WEC, it’s not clear if the manufacturer will choose to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as part of the GTP division on North American soil.
Whatever Ford Performance brings to the prototype racing scene is sure to be a winner. During 2024, The Blue Oval raked in over 50 wins across all manner of motorsport, from NASCAR to Formula Drift and Australian Supercars. The automaker is also speeding toward its 2026 entry into Formula One, and is already 3D printing parts for Red Bull Racing.
Comment
Exciting news! Hopefully an IMSA program muscles its way to parity with the WEC program. North America is Ford’s home market and Daytona, Sebring and Petit LeMans are major enduro events. They’re also a great tune-up for a LeMans effort. IMSA events are broadcast on US TV and attract large crowds across the US–Florida, California, the Midwest–and pit Ford against Cadillac, Acura, Porsche and BMW. Ford has already demonstrated it can support both WEC and IMSA with the recent GT program, so please, don’t ignore the home crowd, guys!