Dan Sayers was named the Ford Performance WEC Hypercar program manager during a June 13 press conference at the Circuit de la Sarthe. His appointment came in addition to Ford Performance's announcement of ORECA Motorsport as its chassis partner for the new prototype that will run to the LMDh rule set, beginning in 2027.

Sayers joins Ford from his current role as program director at Red Bull Ford Powertrains, where he played an instrumental part in the power unit program for the new 2026 F1 regulations from the very beginning.

Prior to that, he spent 10 years at Prodrive (Aston Martin Racing), starting in GT4, progressing to GT3, and leading the design and development of the V12 Vantage before becoming technical director and having ultimate responsibility for all motorsport programs, including the engine department. Sayers also worked at Ricardo, where he designed and developed motorsport transmissions for programs as diverse as LMP1 to Dakar as well as having worked in WRC with a number of different OEMs.

We recently sat down with him to gain a deeper understanding of his work and experience.

What drew you to motorsports as a career?

I was interested in motorsports from an early age, but it was never actually a specific target to make it a career. I started designing WRC cars, and from my first day, I’ve never looked back. I love it — the combination of technical challenges, racing, and being part of a dedicated team with a sole focus is what makes me tick.

You have enjoyed a successful career, what has been your personal highlight to this point?

My personal highlight must be winning Le Mans in the GTE-PRO class in 2017 when we overtook the Corvette on the start-finish straight starting the final lap of the race! Winning at Le Mans is tough, and to win in the way we did was an amazing feeling. I was super proud of the whole team.

You come to Ford Performance to oversee its return to prototype racing on the world stage. What inspired you to take on that challenge?

Two main things: working with a manufacturer with such racing heritage and the opportunity to go for the overall victory at Le Mans with the team. These opportunities don’t come around very often, so it wasn’t a difficult decision!

What do you see as being the biggest challenge ahead?

The level of competition, especially in the top class with manufacturer involvement, is phenomenally fierce. To win, every aspect must work perfectly. Achieving this with teams and partners located across the globe will be a challenge.

In 1966, ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Henry Ford II famously handed his leadership handwritten cards that said, “You Better Win.” Do you feel that level of expectation taking on a similar role now?

When working with manufacturers, their expectations are always huge, quite rightly. So yes, I already feel it — especially as Ford has achieved such success in previous years. I also now know to be wary of any notes I’m handed.