--- title: "Ford ‘Studying’ Le Mans Hypercar to Challenge Ferrari Again" description: "Ford Performance's chief exec says the brand is \"constantly studying where to race,\" and that includes the top level of global sports car racing." date: "2024-08-01" modified: "2024-08-01" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-studying-le-mans-hypercar-to-challenge-ferrari-again" categories: - "Ford News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Mustang" - "sports car" --- # Ford ‘Studying’ Le Mans Hypercar to Challenge Ferrari Again ![]() *Ford* Before we saw Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby on the big screen, Ford's 1960s battle with Ferrari at Le Mans wasn't a mainstream story. Thanks to the success of *[Ford v Ferrari]()*, much of the world is aware of the rivalry. And while the two companies have competed against each other in motorsport since then, [Ford]() hasn't tried to take the overall victory at Le Mans from [Ferrari]() since. But it's thinking about trying again. When asked whether Ford would look into fielding a competitor to race in the prototype class at Le Mans, Ford Performance's global director Mark Rushbrook told *[Autocar]()* that the team is “constantly studying or looking at where we can race, or should race”. Ford already races Ferrari at Le Mans—just in the lower GT3 class, with the [Mustang]() taking on the Ferrari 296. However, Ferrari also races in the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) category, the highest class at Le Mans, comprised primarily of hybrid prototypes engineered to claim overall victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Ford has been absent from the top classes ever since the legendary GT40 retired from kicking ass in 1967, and its successor, the P68, brought no success the following year. But that doesn't mean Ford's absence will be permanent. ![]() **Ford** “GTE and GT LM converged with GT3—so now we've got one focus for GT racing, which helped us make sense out of having the Mustang GT3—and the same at prototype \[level\], which has not truly converged in many ways, because there's still the LMDh formula, or the LMH formula, but at least there's the ability to race them together, so that convergence has been great," Rushbrook told *Autocar*. "You look at the number of manufacturers involved in it, and some choose LMDh while some choose LMH. So yeah, of course, we're looking at it, but that doesn't mean we're going to tell you what we’ll do." Ultimately, Ford will do whatever it believes makes the best business sense. Ford previously spoke about how [racing the Mustang]() at Le Mans and elsewhere has helped drive interest in its sports cars. And, with its [F-150 Lightning SuperTruck Pikes Peak racer]()—which is neither an F-150 Lightning nor a truck—Ford drives business toward its electric pickups. So if the brand can somehow make a commercial case for building an LMH or LMDh car (two formulas that compete in the same Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship and IMSA) to challenge Ferrari for the top spot at Le Mans, it will. "Where it is easy is \[Ford CEO Jim Farley\] understanding what motorsports is and what it takes to do it, and truly understanding the benefits from it. But he certainly holds us accountable from a business perspective—to do it in a responsible and sustainable way," Rushbrook said. With Ferrari riding high off winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the second year in a row, Ford might be tempted enough to take its old rival on again. While Ford might not be able to make a specific road vehicle connection to the race car—as there currently [aren't any plans to build another Ford GT ]()supercar—it could draw on the recent movie's mainstream success and publicly throw down the gauntlet again, bringing attention to the brand itself. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()