Ford has officially announced that it will be returning to one of the world’s most famous and legendary races in 2027: the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The automaker has a very special relationship with this competition after defeating Ferrari four years in a row between 1966 and 1969. In fact, there is an excellent movie on the subject called Ford vs Ferrari. The American brand attempted a comeback in 2016 with its new GT, which also managed to reach the podium. Rest assured, you won’t have to wait another 50 years for Ford to return to this legendary circuit, as the manufacturer will be participating in the competition as early as 2027.
A New Category
In case you didn’t know, several categories compete simultaneously in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2016, the Ford GT was part of the LMGTE PRO division, which is not the fastest in the competition. For 2027, the American manufacturer has decided to step up its game by joining the Hypercar category, featuring truly mind-blowing cars. Several manufacturers, including Cadillac, Alpine, Toyota, and Porsche, are present in this division—not to mention Ferrari.
The Hypercar category was introduced in 2021 as the new flagship division of the competition. The cars in this class are subject to some of the strictest regulations of the event.
The addition of the Ford brand to the Hypercar category for 2027 promises to make the competition even more exciting. It’s also worth noting that the American manufacturer is already competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMGT3 division with the Mustang.
It’s hard to say whether Ford will be able to replicate its 1966 achievement by securing every podium position in the ultimate category of the series. What’s certain is that the 2027 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the history of the event.
An Endurance Race
For those unfamiliar with the event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a race that lasts, as the name suggests, 24 hours. During this time, multiple drivers can take turns behind the wheel of each car. What makes the event so special and captivating is the fact that all categories race on the track simultaneously, making the competition even more challenging and thrilling.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
