It’s official – Ford is making a grand return to the biggest stage in endurance racing. That’s right, the Blue Oval is throwing its hat back into the ring at the 24 Hours of Le Mans after 60 years, and this time, it’s eyeing the top step of the podium.
Set your calendars for 2027, because that’s when Ford plans to unleash its brand-new LMDh prototype and go toe-to-toe with the heavyweights of endurance motorsport.
Back to Where It All Began
For those who live and breathe motorsport, Ford’s history at Le Mans is the stuff of legend. The iconic GT40 steamrolled Ferrari in the 1960s, securing four consecutive wins from 1966 to 1969.
That legendary rivalry even inspired the blockbuster film Ford v Ferrari (or Le Mans ‘66, for those across the pond). Since then, however, Ford hasn’t managed to repeat that outright domination.
They did make a spectacular comeback in 2016, clinching victory in the GTLM class with the modern Ford GT, but now they’re gunning for the overall win once again.
LMDh – The Future of Endurance Racing
So, why LMDh? Well, this category offers a cost-effective way for manufacturers to compete at the highest level, allowing them to race not just in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) – which includes Le Mans – but also in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. That means we could see Ford’s new machine battling it out on both sides of the Atlantic.
And let’s not forget who they’ll be up against. The LMDh class is already stacked with the likes of Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Acura, Alpine, and Lamborghini.
Not to mention that these machines also share the track with Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) competitors, including the reigning Le Mans champions Ferrari, plus Toyota, Peugeot, Aston Martin, and a handful of privateers. In short, Ford isn’t walking into an easy fight – but that’s exactly what makes this comeback so exciting.
Ford’s Racing Renaissance
Ford’s return to Le Mans isn’t happening in isolation. The brand is currently on a full-throttle racing revival, making bold moves across multiple disciplines. In Formula 1, Ford is gearing up for a major comeback by teaming up with Red Bull Racing in 2026.
Over in Australia and New Zealand, they’ve also rekindled their partnership with Triple Eight Race Engineering to homologate the next-gen Mustang Supercar for the 2026 Supercars Championship.
Clearly, Ford isn’t just dipping a toe back into motorsport – they’re diving in headfirst.
What’s Next?
While Ford hasn’t revealed the full details of their LMDh programme yet, it’s safe to assume they’ll be working with a top-tier race team to develop and run the car. There’s also speculation that this won’t just be a one-off Le Mans entry, but rather a full-fledged endurance campaign.
The ultimate question? Can Ford recapture the magic of the ‘60s and bring home the big trophy once again? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – the battle for Le Mans just got a whole lot more interesting.
So, Ford fans – are you ready for the ride? Le Mans 2027 is going to be unmissable.
Source: Caricarz, Car and Driver
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