# From 1960s legend to the hybrid era: Ford sets a date to unveil the prototype that will try to win Le Mans again

The Dearborn carmaker has confirmed 26 November 2026 for the world reveal of its Hypercar, starting the countdown to its return to the top class of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) from the 2027 season.

- Section: Automotive
- Published: November 6, 2026
- Address: https://ceoone.com.br/en/article/from-1960s-legend-to-the-hybrid-era-ford-sets-a-date-to-unveil-its-le-mans-prototype
- Em português: https://ceoone.com.br/artigo/do-mito-dos-anos-60-a-era-hibrida-a-ford-marca-data-para-apresentar-o-.md

![Light blue Ford GT40 with an orange stripe and the number 34 speeding along a track](https://pub-b80e49b2737940b3ab5d3f20d0578192.r2.dev/artigos/do-mito-dos-anos-60-a-era-hibrida-a-ford-marca-data-para-apresentar-o--foto.webp)

Photo: Courtesy

## Key points

- Ford will unveil its Hypercar (LMDh) prototype for the World Endurance Championship on 26 November 2026, with its debut in Qatar in March 2027.
- Developed with ORECA, the car uses a naturally aspirated 5.4-litre Coyote V8, while most rivals use twin-turbo engines.
- The goal is to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans overall again, following the GT40 in the 1960s and the Ford GT's GT class win in 2016.

International motorsport is living through days of great anticipation following the official announcement of the newest chapter in Ford's racing history. The American manufacturer has confirmed that it will present its all-new prototype for the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) to the world on 26 November 2026. The move starts the countdown to the carmaker's return to the elite of endurance racing in the Hypercar (LMDh) category, with its official track debut scheduled for the 2027 season.

## The quest for ultimate glory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The driving force behind the project is the goal of once again taking overall victory at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race in which the brand built one of the most iconic stories in motorsport history. The team aims to relive the historic triumph of the 1960s, immortalised by the legendary Ford GT40 in its famous battle with Ferrari, and to repeat the feat of 2016, when the Ford GT won its class in GT 50 years after the original victory. By entering the top division, Ford will once again fight on equal terms against the world's biggest carmakers at the pinnacle of the sport.

## LMDh engineering and the power of the Coyote V8

Developed under the LMDh regulations in partnership with the engineering specialists at ORECA, the prototype pairs the proven French chassis with the category's standardised hybrid system. Mechanically, Ford is betting on a striking trump card: while most rivals use twin-turbo engines, the American prototype will be powered by a naturally aspirated 5.4-litre V8 derived from the Coyote family. The choice revives the tradition of big American engines, guaranteeing an unmistakable sound signature on track and creating a direct engineering link with the Mustang line of road-going sports cars.

## The schedule to the debut and the WEC's new peak

Until the final bodywork, livery and official name are presented on 26 November 2026, the prototype continues an intense programme of running tests and endurance simulations. The team has signed an experienced line-up of drivers from the international circuit, including Logan Sargeant, Mike Rockenfeller, Matt Campbell, Tom Blomqvist, Nick Yelloly and Sebastian Priaulx, to speed up the car's calibration ahead of its competitive debut in Qatar in March 2027.

Ford's entry into the Hypercar category reinforces the golden age of endurance racing, combining technological relevance, transfer to road cars and the appeal of a global legion of motorsport fans.

## Sources and editorial notes

- Reports and Reference Publications: Autosport, RACER Magazine, The Supercar Blog, Backfire News and Band Esportes.
- Sources Interviewed and Institutions Cited: Ford Performance, FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and ORECA.

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