Logan Sargeant has described the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans as a pivotal stepping stone for Ford Racing as it eyes overall Hypercar supremacy in the following season.
The former American Formula 1 racer will make his first appearance at the French endurance classic in Proton Competition’s No. 88 Ford Mustang GT3 EVO, alongside his regular FIA World Endurance Championship teammates Stefano Gattuso and Giammarco Levorato.
Sargeant’s GT3 program with Proton is being used to gear up for his move to Hypercar next year with Ford, which earlier this year confirmed Seb Priaulx and Mike Rockenfeller among its initial 2027 driver lineup.
Although he has some familiarity with the Circuit de la Sarthe from a Road to Le Mans appearance, the 25-year-old says mastering all the subtleties of the WEC’s flagship event will be crucial for “when it counts” next year as part of Ford’s top-class roster.
“I raced here in 2021 for Road to Le Mans, so I have a bit of a feel for the track,” Sargeant told Sportscar365. “That was five years ago, and I’m thrilled to be back again.”
“The preparation has gone as well as it could. Obviously we’re chasing pace as a team after Imola and Spa, so we’re working toward that goal.”
“I’m trying to absorb as much as I can in this series to be ready for next year. I know most of the circuits, but it’s more about learning procedures and the like.”
“Everything has progressed smoothly so far, but Le Mans is unique. Things unfold differently here, with three safety cars, for instance, and getting on top of all that will be vital to avoid errors when the moment arrives next year.”
With Ford’s yet-unnamed ORECA-based LMDh project due to hit the track this summer, Sargeant emphasised the importance of a seamless test program to set a strong foundation for the 2027 campaign.
“Undoubtedly it’ll be enjoyable,” said Sargeant about the Hypercar project. “But I’m not looking too far ahead—we still need to get the car on track for testing.”
“That’s just around the corner, so I’m excited. And as we get through that, we’ll prepare as best we can.”
“A lot of what we do next year will hinge on how efficiently we can use the test days ahead. We’re starting several years behind some rivals, so there will be a learning curve for the whole squad.”
“That’s part of it; you have to accept it in the first year. But the more we can push during testing, the easier life will become.”
Priaulx: “Good to Relearn” Le Mans Ahead of Hypercar Step
On the opposite side of the Proton Ford garage, Priaulx will also treat Le Mans as a tune-up for his transition into Ford’s Hypercar ranks next season.
The British racer isn’t new to Le Mans, having previously competed in 2022 for Dempsey-Proton Racing in the GTE-Am class, but admits that returning after a multi-year gap will be valuable with 2027 in mind.
“I love this race, and I’m really happy to be back,” Priaulx told Sportscar365. “I’ve done it before, but four years away is a long time in racing, so it’s great to return.”
“I’ve tackled other 24-hour events since then, but Le Mans is a different beast. It gets very dark and the conditions shift a lot, so it changes how you work.”
“It’s useful to relearn the routine, what happens at night, whether it’s damp, and so on. The slow zones here also differ quite a bit from IMSA, so it helps to refresh the mind.”
Priaulx has been part of the Ford-led Proton LMP2 effort in the European Le Mans Series with Rockenfeller and FIA Silver-rated Jonas Ried, the trio’s best result so far being eighth in the opening two races of the season.
Having spent recent years mostly in GT machinery, Priaulx says the ELMS has helped him acclimate to being in the top class, as well as forging relationships with many of the people who will be involved in the Ford Hypercar program.
“It’s done wonders for our racecraft,” he commented. “In LMP2 you’re constantly looking ahead rather than in your mirrors, which aids preparation for overtaking. It’s also been valuable to regain aero experience to gear up for Hypercar.”
“It’s also about the Hypercar team for next year, so getting to know the people and understanding how the whole outfit operates will really help—because every team is different. I believe this is the best preparation we can have for Hypercar.”
Stephen Lickorish contributed to this report
