Ford Racing introduces Sargeant as driver for its 2027 WEC Hypercar

Ford Racing used its 2026 Season Launch in Detroit to reveal the complete structure of its Hypercar project set to debut in the 2027 World Endurance Championship. Logan Sargeant, Sebastian Priaulx, and Mike Rockenfeller will drive the two LMDh prototypes that the brand will operate directly from Dearborn. The cars will be equipped with a naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V8 engine that Ford will develop and manufacture in-house, without outsourcing key motor components.

Sargeant returns to endurance racing after two seasons in Formula 1 with Williams Racing. He completed a test session in Bahrain last November with the Mustang GT3 from Proton Competition during the WEC rookie test.

Priaulx and Rockenfeller have been working with Ford for a year on its IMSA program, where they competed in the GTD Pro class with the Mustang GT3 operated by Multimatic Motorsports throughout 2025. The duo scored two wins at Detroit and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, finishing third in the final standings. Rockenfeller won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010 with Audi and holds multiple DTM championships in his career.

Photo By Ford

Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine

The Hypercar will use a naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V8 based on the Coyote architecture, the same fundamental design that powers Ford's current GT3, GT4, and Dark Horse R programs. Ford will be the third non-turbo Hypercar in the 2027 WEC, alongside the Cadillac V-Series.R and the Aston Martin Valkyrie. The engine will be coupled with the standard hybrid system used by all LMDh cars as per regulations.

Red Bull Ford Powertrains, the division developing the 2026 F1 engine for Red Bull Racing, will collaborate on the Hypercar engine's development. Ford will manufacture the engine entirely at its Dearborn facilities without outsourcing key components. Sayers was precisely leading the F1 power unit project before switching to the Hypercar program last September.

ORECA will build the prototype's chassis, contributing its experience of 240 wins in LMP2 and current work with three Hypercar manufacturers. Ford will maintain direct operational control of all program functions, moving away from the predominant model where manufacturers delegate daily management to independent satellite teams.

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LMP2 Preparatory Year Before Debut

Priaulx and Rockenfeller will participate in the 2026 European Le Mans Series with an LMP2 prototype as part of the team's preparation before the official Hypercar debut. Ford is replicating the model that Genesis Magma Racing implemented during 2025, when it entered an LMP2 operated by IDEC Sport in the ELMS to familiarize its technical staff with the logistics and procedures of endurance racing before debuting in the 2026 WEC with its own Hypercar.

"We are building a team, refining our processes, and earning real-world confidence," explained Sayers about the LMP2 participation. This season will allow engineers, mechanics, and strategists to gain operational experience in long-duration events before facing the world championship with the definitive prototype.

Sargeant will not participate in the LMP2 program because he will compete in the full 2026 WEC season in LMGT3 with Proton Competition. Priaulx will share the #77 Mustang GT3 with Ben Tuck and Eric Powell, and Sargeant will join the #88 alongside Giammarco Levorato and Stefano Gattuso. This participation in the GT category will allow them to learn the championship circuits and adapt to the specifics of each track before assuming their responsibilities in Hypercar.

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Eighth Manufacturer Confirmed for LMDh

Ford will be the eighth manufacturer in the LMDh category when it debuts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2027. The program aims to secure Ford's first overall victory at the French classic since 1969, when the GT40 concluded a streak of four consecutive wins that began in 1966.