The last trio to complete Ford Racing’s FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar lineup for its debut season has been confirmed: Nick Yelloly and Tom Blomqvist, both previously racing in Acura’s IMSA GTP program, and Porsche factory star Matt Campbell.
Announced on Friday at Le Mans, the trio join the previously announced Logan Sargeant, Seb Priaulx and Mike Rockenfeller in the Detroit manufacturer’s lineup.
Campbell, the defending IMSA GTP champion with Porsche Penske Motorsport, had long been tipped to move to Ford’s Hypercar program. The signings of Yelloly and Blomqvist came later, prompted by Acura’s decision to pause its WeatherTech SportsCar Championship activities at the close of the season.
Sources close to Sportscar365 indicate that a number of other drivers, such as Toyota WEC stalwart Mike Conway, were in contention before Yelloly and Blomqvist could be secured, a situation that became evident by mid-March.
Colin Braun, another Acura GTP standout, was also reportedly among those evaluated for a driving role.
Ford Racing’s global director Mark Rushbrook stated: “With the incorporation of Matt, Nick and Tom alongside Logan, Rocky and Seb, we have established a driver lineup prepared to contend for victories.”
“We aren’t merely heading back to Le Mans to take part; we aim to contend for overall glory, and this fully assembled squad provides the ideal basis to reach that objective.”
Dan Sayers, the WEC Hypercar program manager for Ford Racing, added: “Having Matt, Nick and Tom on board from the outset is a major boost.”
“Their combined feedback in simulators and during forthcoming testing across Europe will be crucial as we transition from virtual development to real-track operation.”
“They all have proven records of extracting performance from brand-new platforms and providing the precise technical feedback needed to refine our in-house developed control systems.”
Campbell, who was moved to a partial-season program with Porsche Penske this year in anticipation of his forthcoming signing with Ford, said he is “extremely excited and proud” to join the program.
“Ford has a longstanding history of success in top levels of motorsport and at Le Mans, which is something I am also chasing, and I believe Ford is the right place to achieve that goal together,” he said.
“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.”
For Yelloly, the reigning LMP2 class winner in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it will mark his third different LMDh program after starting with BMW from 2023-24 before switching to Acura for the last two WeatherTech Championship seasons.
“Being part of the lineup who are bringing back the legendary Blue Oval to Le Mans is a big honor and I am very grateful for the opportunity,” he said.
“I’m itching to get going with the whole team and can’t wait to get this show on the road.”
Like Campbell, Blomqvist is a former top-class IMSA champion, while also being a two-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner.
“Joining Ford Racing at the start of such an ambitious program is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” he said.
“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.”
As previously announced, on-track testing for the yet-to-be-named LMDh car, powered by an in-house 5.4-liter Coyote V8 engine, will begin in August at various circuits across Europe.
The final driver pairings have yet to be confirmed.
