Ford taps Sayers as Hypercar program manager, ORECA for chassis

With its return to top-level prototype sports car racing on the horizon, Ford Motor Company has revealed ORECA as its chassis supplier for the American automaker's upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar effort. Ford also named Dan Sayers (pictured above) as its WEC Hypercar program manager, coming over from his current role as program director at Red Bull Ford Powertrains.

“Bringing Ford back to the top class at Le Mans has always been a dream for many of us, including our Executive Chair Bill Ford,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley. “To be able to partner with ORECA is a proud moment for Ford. We are coming back to Le Mans to win, and we aren’t making that a secret.

“On Sunday, it will be exactly 56 years since we last took the top step of the overall podium here. That is long enough. In 2027, we are coming with the same level of expectation,and we are entrusting ORECA to help us take on Ferrari and the other top-class teams as we did back in the 1960s.”

ORECA will supply the chassis for Ford's LMDh prototype that will make its WEC debut in 2027. Ford's partnership with the French constructor adds another OEM partnership to ORECA's portfolio, which already includes LMDh programs from Acura, Alpine and Genesis.

"We are honored that Ford has chosen ORECA to design the future WEC Hypercar for their return to the top tier of endurance racing,” added ORECA Group President Hughes de Chaunac. “This strategic partnership is a key part of our ongoing commitment to the highest level of racing and to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. We are excited to channel all our energy, expertise, and enthusiasm into this ambitious project.

“I would like to thank Bill Ford, Jim Farley, and Mark Rushbrook for their trust. They can count on the full engagement of all our teams around the world.”

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Sayers joins the Ford program with an extensive resume in a variety of motorsports. Before joining Red Bull Ford Powertrains and driving the new 2026 Formula 1 powertrain regulations, he spent 10 years at Prodrive/Aston Martin Racing in the GT4 and GT3 departments, leading the design and development of the V12 Vantage, before becoming technical director for all motorsport programs. He also worked with driveline and transmission supplier Ricardo, consulting on programs ranging from LMP1 to Rally Raid, and working in the FIA World Rally Championship with several manufacturers.

“Ford Performance is taking on so many different challenges around the racing world, but to lead Ford back to its spiritual home at Le Mans was a challenge I could not turn down,” Sayers said. “Having previously led Aston Martin to multiple Le Mans class victories, the opportunity to take overall honors with Ford is something very special. I have loved working on the F1 program with Red Bull Ford Powertrains, so this feels a lot like joining a different part of the same family.”

Ford Performance Global Director, Mark Rushbrook, said: “The chassis partner and the program head for any major factory program are foundational elements. ORECA and Dan Sayers give us the right platform to build this entire program. We have all been working closely since these decisions were made, and every step has proven correct.

“We are two years away from sitting on the grid at Le Mans with our Ford WEC Hypercar program and we now have two of the key building blocks to a successful return to prototype racing at this great race.”