Ford Racing strengthens Hypercar program with top-tier engineering talent

Ford Racing continues to accelerate preparations for its return to the top class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) with a series of high-profile appointments for its all-new Hypercar program.

The new recruits bring a wealth of championship-winning experience from motorsport and the highest echelons of sportscar racing. As Ford prepares to challenge for overall honours on the world stage, these strategic hires signal the brand's commitment to technical excellence and operational precision.

Leading the trackside operations will be Grant Clarke, who joins Ford Racing as Trackside Engineering Manager. Clarke makes the move from Formula E, where he was instrumental in managing complex systems and race strategy, and having previously enjoyed a successful stint in WEC. His expertise in high-pressure trackside management will be pivotal as Ford navigates the technical complexities of the highly-competitive Hypercar class in WEC.

The engineering department is further strengthened by the addition of two world-class Race Engineers:

• Leena Gade joins the program bringing one of the most decorated resumes in endurance racing history. Previously with Multimatic and famously the first female race engineer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans (securing three titles with Audi), Gade’s deep understanding of the Circuit de la Sarthe and long-distance strategy makes her a cornerstone of Ford’s competitive ambitions.

• Jean-Philippe Sarrazin arrives from the Porsche-Penske Motorsport camp where he engineered the FIA WEC Championship winning car in 2024. Having worked at the forefront of the current Hypercar era, Sarrazin provides Ford with immediate, relevant experience in the modern hybrid prototype landscape.

Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Racing, commented: "To compete at the top level of endurance racing, you need the best minds in the business. Bringing in individuals of the caliber of Grant, Leena, and Jean-Philippe shows exactly how serious we are. We aren't just showing up to the grid; we are building a world-class organisation capable of winning the world’s toughest races."

These new hires will integrate immediately into Ford’s development program as the team continues its countdown to its competitive Hypercar debut in 2027.