Ford reveals the names of the 2027 Hypercar driver crews

In 2027, Ford will be entering two Hypercars in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Talented drivers and a naturally-aspirated V8 are ready to power into a new era.

Savvy and speed

Matt Campbell, Nick Yelloly and Tom Blomqvist, the three drivers announced today, join 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller, Logan Sargeant and Sebastian Priaulx in the American programme.

Campbell has a glittering track record in the USA, as well as in FIA WEC. The Australian boasts excellent results in international sportscar classics, including a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018. Ford has hired him for his precision, pace and experience of top-level racing. “I’m extremely excited and proud to be joining Ford Racing for their new Hypercar program. Ford has a longstanding history of success in top levels of motorsport and at Le Mans, which is something I am also chasing, and I believe Ford is the right place to achieve that goal together. We have a lot of laps to turn later this year, but the work has already started and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

British driver Nick Yelloly has raced, and won, all over the world, not least the 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 crown last year, with Jakub Śmiechowski and Tom Dillmann for Inter Europol Competition. “I’m extremely excited and proud to be joining Ford Racing for their new Hypercar program. Being part of the lineup who are bringing back the legendary Blue Oval to Le Mans is a big honor and I am very grateful for the opportunity. I’m itching to get going with the whole team and can’t wait to get this show on the road!”

Ford can also rely on the talented Tom Blomqvist, who took second place in LMP2 at the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans and won the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship the same year. He has won the Rolex 24 at Daytona twice. “Joining Ford Racing at the start of such an ambitious programme is an incredibly exciting opportunity. To be part of the project from the outset, help shape its development and work towards the shared goal of bringing Ford back to the top step of the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is very special. Ford’s heritage in endurance racing speaks for itself, and I’m proud to represent the brand as we begin this exciting new chapter together.”

A proud factory entry

Ford do things the big way. The Americans have opted for a 5.4 litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine developed in the Dearborn workshops. The chassis is built in conjunction with Oreca, already a major player at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The aim is clear: to lift the most prestigious trophy in world endurance racing.

“At Ford Racing, competition runs through our veins, and as America’s Race Team, it is only right that we carry the banner ourselves. With the additions of Matt, Nick and Tom alongside Logan, Rocky and Seb, we have finalized a driver lineup capable of winning races. We aren’t just returning to Le Mans to participate – we are returning to fight for overall victory, and this complete roster gives us the perfect foundation to achieve that goal,” assures Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Racing.

Towards another head-to-head between Ford and Ferrari?

For many manufacturers, the 24 Hours of Le Mans represents more than a race. It’s woven into their history, part of the essence of the brand. It’s the goal to aspire to, the biggest dream of all. In 1964, the Detroit carmaker came to France with a new car, the GT40. And a new goal, to be the first American make to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Slight hitch: the top spot was taken. Ferrari, another automotive legend, reigned supreme. The Italians won six consecutive editions (1960–65). Ford’s attempt to buy out Ferrari during that period of domination didn’t materialise; Enzo Ferrari’s pull-out infuriated Henry Ford and sparked bitter rivalry.

At the third attempt, in 1966, Ford beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The GT40 earned its place in the history books, repeating the feat the following year under the factory banner, and again in 1968 and 1969 with private team entries. The intense 1966 head-to-head was portrayed in the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari (titled Le Mans ‘66 in the UK, France and elsewhere) with Matt Damon in the role of Carroll Shelby, director of the Ford campaign, and Christian Bale as driver Ken Miles, who helped develop the GT40. Together, the two men overcame hurdle after hurdle to bring their vision to fruition, upsetting the hierarchy of one of the world’s largest companies in the process. Le Mans rewarded their superhuman efforts.

The French classic’s long history throws up obvious parallels. In 2027, for the first time since the sixties, Ford is coming back to the top class at Le Mans, intent on victory. Once again, Ferrari stands in the way, having claimed the trophy for the last three years. Get ready for another epic battle. This time it's Ford v Ferrari... and a host of other potential winners.