Ford outlines Hypercar path with ELMS LMP2 campaign

Ford has outlined its Hypercar return, confirming a Coyote V8 and a 2026 ELMS LMP2 campaign as preparation for Le Mans 2027. Learn the details.

Ford is taking another decisive step toward its return to the top tier of endurance racing. With one year remaining before the debut of its Hypercar program in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027, the company is using this period for real-world preparation rather than theoretical development.

At the heart of the project is a powertrain built entirely around Ford’s own identity. The future Hypercar will be powered by a naturally aspirated 5.4-liter Coyote V8, an engine family that already defines the brand’s current factory racing programs. For the first time, this competition engine is being developed fully in-house, with Ford’s Dearborn-based team working alongside Red Bull Ford Powertrains to integrate the high-voltage technology required under Hypercar regulations.

Engineering progress is being matched by a carefully structured sporting plan. In 2026, Sebastian Priaulx and Mike “Rocky” Rockenfeller will compete in the European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 class. This campaign is designed as a proving ground for Ford’s future factory operation, allowing the team to refine workflows, decision-making, and technical cooperation under race conditions. The LMP2 effort is run in collaboration with Proton Competition and Venture Engineering, giving Ford valuable operational experience ahead of its Hypercar debut.

The driver lineup reflects a long-term approach. Priaulx and Rockenfeller are already established members of Ford’s endurance racing structure, while Logan Sargeant brings recent experience from high-downforce single-seater racing. Together, they form a blend of continuity, experience, and technical understanding aligned with the demands of a modern Hypercar program.

Choosing ELMS LMP2 as a preparatory step is a calculated move. The six-round European series offers intense competition across a range of circuits, providing a realistic environment to stress-test personnel, processes, and race operations. For Ford, the goal is not merely results, but readiness for a full-scale return to the fight for overall victories.

There is also a clear historical dimension. Ford remains one of the most successful manufacturers in Le Mans history, and the current project is framed not as a symbolic comeback, but as a structured attempt to reclaim a position among the leaders of endurance racing. With the groundwork already in motion, 2026 is set to be an active and defining phase in the build-up to Ford’s Hypercar era.