Verstappen in Ford's Hypercar Plans
Ford is preparing for its World Endurance Championship Hypercar debut in 2027, with the manufacturer's racing leadership expressing interest in potentially involving Max Verstappen in the program. The American automotive giant has strengthened its motorsport presence through its current Formula 1 partnership with Red Bull Racing, which supplies power units to the team and its sister squad.
Ford's Return to Racing and Hypercar Ambitions
Ford's motorsport portfolio has undergone significant expansion, marked by its re-entry into Formula 1 competition this year through a strategic alliance with Red Bull Racing. The partnership focuses on the collaborative development and manufacturing of power units destined for Red Bull and its associated racing operation. Building on this foundation, the company has now set its sights on the pinnacle of endurance racing through the World Endurance Championship.
The automotive manufacturer is preparing to launch a Hypercar program in the WEC, with plans to debut the vehicle next year. This marks a notable addition to Ford's racing ventures and represents the company's commitment to competing across multiple motorsport disciplines simultaneously.
Mark Rushbrook's Vision for Driver Involvement
Overseeing Ford's racing operations is Mark Rushbrook, who serves as the company's racing chief. In discussions surrounding the upcoming Hypercar initiative, Rushbrook has expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of involving Max Verstappen in the program at some point in the future. The Red Bull Racing driver remains central to Ford's motorsport strategy, given the existing partnership structure between the manufacturer and the Formula 1 team.
Rushbrook's interest in securing Verstappen's participation highlights the significance Ford places on its driver relationships and the potential to leverage its current F1 involvement across different racing platforms. Such a development would represent an intriguing opportunity for cross-series involvement by one of motorsport's prominent drivers.
The Hypercar Category in Context
The Hypercar class within the World Endurance Championship represents the highest tier of prototype racing in the series. These vehicles represent the cutting edge of automotive engineering, combining technological innovation with endurance racing demands. The category attracts manufacturers seeking to showcase performance capabilities and test advanced automotive technologies under extreme competitive conditions.
For Ford, entry into this category represents a natural progression from its Formula 1 involvement. The Hypercar program would allow the manufacturer to demonstrate its engineering prowess in a different racing context, complementing rather than competing with its F1 commitments.
Strategic Racing Portfolio
Ford's expanded racing presence reflects a broader strategy of competing across multiple top-tier motorsport categories. The company's involvement in F1 through Red Bull Racing provides technological advancement and brand visibility at the highest level of single-seater racing, while the planned Hypercar program would establish Ford's credentials in endurance competition.
The relationship with Red Bull Racing extends beyond basic engine supply, encompassing collaborative development efforts that benefit both parties. This partnership structure has positioned Ford as an active participant in F1 rather than a peripheral supplier, influencing the direction of power unit development.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As Ford prepares for its Hypercar debut next year, the timing coincides with continued development of its F1 power units in partnership with Red Bull Racing. The dual commitment demonstrates the company's confidence in its engineering capabilities and its intention to establish a significant racing presence across multiple platforms.
The mention of potential opportunities for Max Verstappen underscores the interconnected nature of Ford's motorsport strategy. While Verstappen's primary focus remains his F1 commitments with Red Bull Racing, the interest from racing leadership suggests that cross-series involvement could be a possibility should circumstances align.
Ford's multifaceted approach to motorsport competition positions the company as a significant player in both contemporary F1 and endurance racing. The progression from returning to Formula 1 this year to preparing a Hypercar debut for next year demonstrates the scope and ambition of the manufacturer's motorsport program. As these initiatives develop, the automotive industry will be watching closely to see how Ford's presence evolves across these prestigious racing categories.
Trusted Sources
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Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
Article 5.1
Definition of a New PU Manufacturer
Chapter: SECTION C: TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
In Simple Terms
A 'New PU Manufacturer' is a company entering F1 for the first time that hasn't built power units before (2014-2021) and hasn't inherited significant technology from existing manufacturers. If approved by the FIA, they receive special benefits and exemptions for 5 years (from 3 years before entry through 1 year after). The FIA evaluates applicants based on their facilities, engine experience, and ERS system knowledge.
- New PU Manufacturers must meet two conditions: no prior homologation since 2014 AND no significant inherited IP from established manufacturers
- Approved new manufacturers receive a 5-year window of special rights/exemptions (N-3 to N+1 calendar years)
- The FIA has absolute discretion in granting status and evaluates applicants on infrastructure investment, ICE experience, and ERS system expertise
Official FIA Text
A PU Manufacturer intending to supply PUs for the first time in year N, will be considered to be a "New PU Manufacturer" if it (or any related party): a. has not homologated a PU at least once in the period 2014-2021; and b. has not received any significant recent Intellectual Property from a PU Manufacturer who is not a New PU Manufacturer, subject to the conditions outlined in Article 5.2 of this Appendix. (together, for this Article 5 only, the "Necessary Conditions") The "New PU Manufacturer" status will be granted by the FIA, at its absolute discretion, for the complete calendar years from N-3 to N+1. In order to be granted the "New PU Manufacturer" status, the PU Manufacturer in question must, upon the request of the FIA, provide the FIA with all of the detailed information or documents requested by the FIA describing the commercial background and details of the PU Manufacturer's business, the Intellectual Property owned by the PU Manufacturer and the technical relationship between the PU Manufacturer and any other related entity or persons (the "Requested Documentation"). PU Manufacturers granted a "New PU Manufacturer" status are given additional rights or exemptions in certain provisions of the Technical, Sporting and Financial Regulations. In order to assess whether the Necessary Conditions have been satisfied by a PU Manufacturer, the FIA will assess the Requested Documentation provided by the PU Manufacturer with regard to three factors: a. Infrastructure: the necessity for the PU Manufacturer to build facilities, invest significantly in assets, and hire personnel with prior Formula 1 experience; b. ICE status: the prior experience of the PU Manufacturer in Formula 1 Internal Combustion Engines, and potential possession of significant recent Intellectual Property; and c. ERS status: the prior experience of the PU Manufacturer in Formula 1 ERS systems, and potential possession of significant recent Intellectual Property.
Article 1.2
Homologation dossier contents
Chapter: Appendix C5
In Simple Terms
Before a team can use a new power unit in F1, they need to submit a complete package of paperwork to the FIA. This package must list every major power unit component, all the smaller parts, and other required documents following a specific FIA template (FIA-F1-DOC-C047). Think of it as getting your engine approved before you can race.
- Teams must document all Power Unit (PU) Elements - the major components like the engine, turbo, and MGU systems
- A detailed list of Minor Parts must be included - smaller components that make up the power unit
- All submissions must follow the official FIA-F1-DOC-C047 format and template
- This homologation process is the approval system that ensures all power units meet F1 regulations
Official FIA Text
Dossier must include details of all PU Elements, detailed list of Minor Parts, all required documents, submitted per FIA-F1-DOC-C047.
Article 2
Information provided by the PU Manufacturer to their customer F1 Teams
Chapter: APPENDIX C5: HOMOLOGATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POWER UNITS, FUEL AND OIL FOR 2026-2030
In Simple Terms
Engine manufacturers must give F1 teams detailed plans and specifications of their power units in two stages: a preliminary version by August and a final version by November of the year before competition. If anything significant changes after August, the manufacturer must notify teams immediately, and if teams think the changes are unfair, they can ask the FIA to investigate within 7 days.
- Engine manufacturers must provide preliminary technical specifications and 3D models to teams by August 1st of the year before competition
- Final detailed specifications, operating parameters, and installation procedures must be submitted by November 1st
- Any significant changes after August 1st require immediate notification to customer teams and FIA approval
- Customer teams have 7 days to challenge unreasonable changes, with the FIA deciding within 14 days whether modifications are acceptable
Official FIA Text
Any PU Manufacturer intending to supply a Power Unit to an F1 Team during a Championship (year N) must: a. Declare to the FIA, before 1 August of year N-1, that they provided to their customer F1 Teams: i. An initial full external space model of the Power Unit including details and locations of all physical interfaces required by the team to install the Power Unit. ii. Preliminary estimates of important operating parameters such as heat rejection, fuel mass and density, clutch shaft stiffness and engine stiffness. b. Declare to the FIA, before 1 November of year N-1, that they provided to their customer F1 Teams: i. A final full external space model of the Power Unit including details and locations of all physical interfaces required by the team to install the Power Unit. ii. Firm predictions of important operating parameters such as heat rejection, fuel mass and density, clutch shaft stiffness and engine stiffness. iii. Initial details of any other parts, procedures, operating conditions and limits or any other information required by the team to install and operate the Power Unit as intended. After the 1 August of year N-1, any significant change compared to previous communication, must be notified to the customer F1 Teams in due time. Should a Customer Team consider that the change has an unreasonable impact on the Power Unit installation in the car, they may contact the FIA within 7 days of the notification. The FIA will then contact the relevant PU Manufacturer and its customer F1 Teams in order to conduct its investigation. If the FIA is satisfied, in its absolute discretion, that these changes are acceptable, the FIA will confirm to the PU Manufacturer and the customer F1 Teams within 14 days that they may be carried out.
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