Ford Racing has strengthened its new 2027 WEC Hypercar programme by adding Matt Campbell, Tom Blomqvist and Nick Yelloly to an already impressive line-up featuring Logan Sargeant, Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx.
The American manufacturer announced Sargeant, Rockenfeller and Priaulx in January, and now it has completed a six-driver roster packed with prototype experience, endurance pedigree and race-winning speed. As Ford builds towards its return to the top category of international endurance racing, the project now moves from recruitment to development.
The Hypercar campaign sits at the heart of the newly unified Ford Racing organisation. Moreover, it carries clear ambition: Ford does not simply want to return to Le Mans; it wants to fight for overall victory.
Ford Racing sets out its intent for 2027 WEC
Ford Racing Global Director Mark Rushbrook believes the completed 2027 WEC squad gives the programme the strength it needs to challenge at the highest level. The manufacturer has framed the Hypercar effort as the flagship of its global racing identity, and Rushbrook made that competitive mindset clear.
“At Ford Racing, competition runs through our veins, and as America’s Race Team, it is only right that we carry the banner ourselves,” he explained. “With the additions of Matt, Nick and Tom alongside Logan, Rocky and Seb, we have finalised a driver line-up capable of winning races. We aren’t just returning to participate – we are returning to fight for overall victory, and this complete roster gives us the perfect foundation to achieve that goal.”
That statement underlines the scale of Ford’s ambition. In addition, it reflects the brand’s desire to reconnect its modern racing programme with its historic success at Le Mans.
Campbell brings Hypercar-winning momentum
Matt Campbell arrives with recent top-level prototype success and a strong record in North American competition. The Australian has already won twice as an IMSA title-holder, once overall and once in-class, and he also claimed a Hypercar victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship at COTA last September.
His experience gives Ford a driver who understands both championship campaigns and modern hybrid prototype racing. Furthermore, Campbell sees the project as a route towards one of his major career targets.
“I’m extremely excited and proud to be joining Ford Racing’s new Hypercar programme,” enthused Australian ace Campbell, two times a title-holder in IMSA competition – once overall and once in-class – and a Hypercar winner in FIA WEC at COTA last September.
“Ford has a longstanding history of success at the top levels of motorsport and at Le Mans, which is something I’m also chasing, and I believe this 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.”
Campbell’s comments also point towards the next phase of the programme. Ford will begin an extensive European testing schedule in August, with the team targeting performance, reliability, hybrid integration and aerodynamic validation.
Blomqvist adds prototype pedigree
Tom Blomqvist gives Ford another driver with major endurance credentials. The 32-year-old has twice won the Rolex 24 At Daytona overall, and he has also scored multiple in-class FIA WEC podiums. As a result, he brings valuable experience across prototypes, GTs and single-seaters.
His arrival gives Ford another proven operator for both development work and race execution for their 2027 WEC Hypercar debut. Just as importantly, Blomqvist can contribute from the beginning of the project rather than joining after the car has taken shape.
“Joining Ford Racing at the start of such an ambitious programme is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” the 32-year-old acknowledged. “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.”
Blomqvist’s versatility should help Ford as it turns simulator work into meaningful track data. Consequently, his feedback will matter during the car’s early development miles across Europe.
Yelloly strengthens Ford’s technical depth
Nick Yelloly completes the latest trio of additions and brings a broad technical profile. The Briton has won in-class at Le Mans and the Nürburgring 24 Hours, and he has also won overall at Spa-Francorchamps. In addition, he has claimed victory in IMSA GTP competition.
Beyond his race results, Yelloly’s background as a Formula 1 simulator and development driver should give Ford valuable insight as engineers refine the car’s systems and performance window.
“I’m super-excited to be joining Ford Racing for its Hypercar programme,” Yelloly commented. “Being part of the line-up bringing back the legendary ‘Blue Oval’ to Le Mans is a big honour and I’m 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!”
Yelloly’s enthusiasm matches the wider tone of the programme as Ford has assembled a group that combines speed, endurance, discipline and development skill.
Ford prepares Coyote-powered Hypercar
Ford will base its 2027 WEC Hypercar around a chassis developed with ORECA. Meanwhile, the manufacturer will use a 5.4-litre naturally aspirated Coyote V8 engine that it has designed and built in-house in Michigan.
That engine gives the project a direct link to Ford’s production performance cars. Additionally, the programme aims to accelerate technology transfer between racing and road-car development.
Ford Racing FIA WEC Hypercar Programme Manager Dan Sayers said the early engine work has already shown promise, particularly as the team pushes the unit through durability and performance testing.
“The engine’s development phase is already showing great promise on the dyno in Dearborn, where we’ve been pushing the limits of its performance and durability,” revealed Ford Racing FIA WEC Hypercar Programme Manager, Dan Sayers. “Having Matt, Nick and Tom on-board early is a massive boost. Their combined feedback in the simulator and during our upcoming testing across Europe will be vital as we transition from the virtual world to the track.
“They all have a proven record of extracting performance from brand new platforms and providing the precise technical feedback needed to refine our in-house developed control systems.”
Testing now takes centre stage as Ford prepares for 2027 WEC Hypercar campaign
With the driver roster complete, Ford can now focus on track development. The manufacturer will begin testing in Europe this August across multiple circuits, where the team will simulate the demands of the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The programme still has key details to reveal, including final driver pairings and the car’s official name. However, Ford has now put the major pieces in place. With Campbell, Blomqvist and Yelloly joining Sargeant, Rockenfeller and Priaulx, the Blue Oval has built a line-up with enough experience and ambition to make its Hypercar return a serious statement.
