P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It’s all systems go at Ford Performance’s sports car racing division, as it prepares for the debut of its Hypercar program in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Speaking with RACER earlier today…
Ford Performance’s sports car racing division is gearing up for the debut of its Hypercar program in the FIA World Endurance Championship, with the first season of its LMDh prototype scheduled for 2027.
Mark Rushbrook, the global director of Ford Performance, highlighted the preparations and strategies behind the scenes during a recent conversation with RACER.
The decision to enter the Hypercar/GTP era at this specific time was influenced by the evolving motorsport landscape and the brand’s other racing commitments, such as racing Mustangs globally, off-road competition, electric demonstrators, and Formula 1.
The team is currently focusing on designing and developing new race cars for Mustangs, with a significant number of GT3s and GT4s already in the field and more in production, aligning with their broader racing goals.
Several key decisions have already been made regarding the platform (LMDh over LMH), chassis partner (likely Multimatic or ORECA), and engine type (V8, with the specific configuration still being determined).
The design process for the Hypercar program will advance virtually in 2025, followed by track testing in 2026, marking the next phase of Ford Performance’s expansion in sports car racing.
