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Mustang in LMGT3 for the long term, Ford says

Ford Performance is committed to maintaining a presence in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMGT3 category with the Mustang GT3, even after the arrival of its forthcoming ORECA-built Hypercar in 2027.

Speaking to RACER, Ford Performance global director Mark Rushbrook reaffirmed the brand’s intention to field entries in both WEC classes from 2027 onward, citing a core company philosophy: “it’s part of our DNA.”

“We want our racing, race to road, and have that direct tie,” he continued. “We can do that with Hypercar and the necessary technology, but we can do it even better with the Mustang GT3 global platform.

“The body for a Mustang GT3 starts at Flat Rock (Michigan) Assembly Plant – like every other Mustang. The relevant connection back to our road-going product underscores our commitment to LMGT3.”

Rushbrook also pointed to the recent extension of the Hypercar regulations – now running through the end of 2032 – adds to Ford’s desire to build a long-term presence in top-level sports car racing. He echoed sentiments shared in his previous discussion on the program earlier this season, reaffirming that Ford’s entry into Hypercar is a “long-term” move.

“When we were investigating the decision to enter into Hypercar a year ago, that was when the regulations had just been extended to 2029,” he said. “It gives us the opportunity to compete for at least three years, 2027-29.

“We’re meticulously building all of our motorsports programs. We are currently expanding rapidly, but we are doing it the right way. We are focused on hiring the very best engineers and technicians. That is our culture, and our people are where we find our success.

“Whether it’s NASCAR, Australia Supercars, Mustangs, or Hypercar, we want to be in these places for the long run, as long as it makes sense. Developing Mustang as our global sports car racing platform makes sense, as well as introduc ing Hypercar.”

Ford’s WEC strategy notably contrasts with its approach in North America, where its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaign centers on the Mustang GTD PRO program run by Multimatic Motorsports. At present, there are no plans to field the forthcoming LMDh in IMSA’s GTP class.

Multimatic masterminds Ford’s Mustang program in IMSA. Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

“We have an opportunity to campaign a factory program in the IMSA GTD PRO category, which allows us to continue development of the Mustang GT3 platform,” Rushbrook added. “We have a great partner in Proton Competition, which is racing in the WEC LMGT3 class as a customer program. Ultimately, our goal in WEC is to run as a factory program. We’re encouraged that Hypercar is the way.”

Behind the scenes, Ford’s Hypercar preparations are accelerating. The Blue Oval has teamed up with ORECA for chassis development – a partnership that will swing into action once ORECA wraps up the current intense phase of work on the Genesis GMR-001, which is scheduled to begin testing imminently ahead of its 2026 debut. After that, the French constructor will turn the majority of its attention to Ford’s 2027 challenger.

Despite ORECA’s packed schedule – serving manufacturers like Acura, Alpine and Genesis in LMDh, supporting Ferrari in GT3, and supplying LMP2 teams – Ford is confident it has made the right call for its chassis partner.

“It’s important to recognize what a great partner Multimatic is and emphasize our continued commitment to Multimatic and all of our Mustang program that we do with them,” Rushbrook said.

“We do believe that what ORECA has demonstrated with their success in LMP2 speaks for itself, but also the number of programs that they have done already. Ford will be the fourth program with a manufacturer, and we felt that their experience and success complement our shared strengths to mesh together well.”

ORECA president Hugues de Chaunac says the company’s expansion – most notably a huge new facility near Circuit Paul Ricard – has been key to accommodating new OEM projects.

“I’m a big fan of football, and I always say to my team that we always want to be in the Champions League,” he told RACER. “This new building enables us to operate at a new level; we now have the ‘stadium’ to do the job.”

Further developments are expected soon. Dan Sayers, appointed program manager for Ford’s Hypercar project, has already visited ORECA and has multiple trips to Ford Performance’s U.S. base lined up as the team prepares for its first chassis build.

Details about the engine, operational partner, and car styling remain under wraps for now. As for what the Hypercar will look like, Rushbrook had a typically pragmatic response: “We want to win, so the aerodynamicists will be left to design the car!”