Sixty years after the iconic GT40 swept the podium at Le Mans, Ford is writing the next chapter of its legendary rivalry with Ferrari. The Dearborn automaker has officially announced its return to the World Endurance Championship's premier prototype class, targeting a victory at the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This marks Ford's first prototype effort since the glory years of 1966-69, when the GT40 not only dethroned Ferrari but sparked a four-year dynasty that inspired the Oscar-winning film "Ford v Ferrari." Now, with French chassis partner Oreca by its side, Ford began its climb back to the top in June 2025.
The road ahead is anything but easy. The Hypercar class is stacked with 19 entries from automotive giants including Ferrari, Cadillac, Alpine, Genesis, McLaren, Toyota, Peugeot, and Aston Martin. Reigning world champion Ferrari—winner of the last three Le Mans—remains the team to beat.
"Ferrari has proved they are the mark for the last couple of years, especially at Le Mans," said Dan Sayers, WEC Hypercar Program Manager. "They obviously have a very good car, very good driver line-up, and they operate very well."
Toyota is another formidable contender, having bested Ferrari at this year's first WEC race in Imola after winning five straight Le Mans from 2018-22. Notably absent from the 2027 grid will be the Porsche-Penske team—2025 Le Mans runner-up—which has withdrawn as Porsche restructures its finances.
Unlike 1966, when eight GT40 Mark IIs and six Ferrari P2/P3s dominated qualifying and the race, this year's field promises unprecedented competition. Under current Hypercar regulations, Le Mans 2027 may feature its most competitive grid ever.
"We just need to make sure we go out and measure ourselves against ourselves," Sayers emphasized. "We need to ignore things you can't influence and just focus on what we can control."
For fans of motorsport history and modern racing drama alike, Ford's return to Le Mans is a story worth watching—and one that will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of racing enthusiasts.