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24H Backstage | 24h-lemans.com

Ford Racing has taken another major step in its return to the top level of endurance racing. On Monday, 17 August, the first images of its Hypercar on track were unveiled as the new American machine continues its testing programme ahead of its FIA WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in 2027.

It is a silhouette that fans have been waiting to see. After several months of development away from the spotlight, the Ford Hypercar has finally hit the track. Its testing programme began on 5 August with several days of shakedown testing, during which the team methodically checked each of the car&rsquo;s systems. On Monday, 17 August, Matt Campbell and Logan Sargeant took the wheel for the first proper track tests, providing the first glimpse of Ford&rsquo;s future endurance racing contender.

<h2>A first run, and a new chapter begins</h2>

Before chasing outright performance, Ford Racing first had to ensure that everything was working as it should. The initial running allowed the team to check and activate all of the Hypercar&rsquo;s systems. It may be an invisible stage for the wider public, but it is essential: before thinking about lap times, every component, control and interaction between the various systems must perform as planned.

This initial phase went according to Ford&rsquo;s planned programme. The car is now ready to enter a new phase: track testing, where every lap brings new lessons and takes the prototype one step closer to its ultimate goal.

For this first outing, Matt Campbell and Logan Sargeant took turns behind the wheel. Tom Blomqvist, who was also present during the initial development phase, is set to join the testing programme in the coming days. The three drivers are part of <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/ford-reveals-the-names-of-the-2027-hypercar-driver-crews-60778" target="_blank">the six official drivers selected by Ford for its 2027 Hypercar programme</a>, alongside Mike Rockenfeller, Nick Yelloly and Sebastian Priaulx.

The first image of this Ford on track ultimately tells a much bigger story than that of a simple test. It marks the moment when a project becomes reality. Until now, this car could only be imagined racing through the field at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Now, it exists, it is running and it is starting to rack up the miles.

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<h2>Ford prepares its return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans</h2>

And, naturally, behind these first laps lies a story that goes far beyond the development of a prototype.

In 2027, Ford will return to the top class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, almost six decades after its last involvement at the highest level. It is a return that inevitably echoes the history of the race. In the 1960s, the Ford GT40 left an indelible mark on Le Mans by securing four consecutive victories between 1966 and 1969. In 2016, 50 years after the first of those wins, the Ford GT also triumphed in the LMGTE Pro class.

The next chapter will be different. Ford is not returning simply to make up the numbers. The American manufacturer is preparing for a genuine battle at the highest level of the FIA WEC, with the ambition of returning to Le Mans in 2027 as part of an Hypercar field that promises to be stronger than ever.

Ford&rsquo;s Hypercar has only just begun its story. But since Monday, 17 August, one thing is certain: it has now left the computer screens behind and entered the real world. And it will be worth keeping an eye on it over the coming months. Because its next major appointment is already marked in bold on the calendar: the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Further images and additional information about this testing programme are expected to be released by Ford Racing next week.

Ford reveals first images of its Hypercar on track

At its Dearborn test facility, Ford Racing is already putting its future Hypercar engine through a full lap simulation of the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. It marks another milestone in the American manufacturer's preparation for its return to the Hypercar class of the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Just months before its eagerly awaited return to the top category of the FIA World Endurance Championship, Ford Racing continues the development of <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/ford-hypercar-v8-roars-to-life-for-the-first-time-ahead-of-the-2027-24-hours-of-le-mans-60883" target="_blank">its Hypercar</a>. At its technical centre in Dearborn, Michigan, the manufacturer is simulating a complete lap of the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit on an engine dyno. Gear changes, long full-throttle acceleration zones &ndash; the 5.4-litre V8 is already experiencing the demands of the legendary French endurance classic long before it turns a wheel on track.

Ford Racing Recreates a Lap of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Circuit

Ford Racing recrée un tour du circuit des 24 Heures du Mans

<h2>When the Dyno Simulates the 24 Hours of Le Mans</h2>

Every time Ford Racing fires up its engine dyno in Dearborn, the room holds its breath. The naturally aspirated 5.4-litre V8, derived from the Coyote engine, is not simply running to verify that everything works as intended. Thanks to a real-time simulation, it faithfully reproduces an entire lap of the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit.

The engine surges beyond 9,000 rpm, powers down the Mulsanne Straight at full throttle, brakes hard for Mulsanne Corner and accelerates once again towards the Porsche Curves. While the engine cannot tell the difference between a real circuit and a virtual one, Ford&#39;s engineers carefully analyse every piece of data collected to identify where further improvements can be made.

This approach allows valuable development work to continue long before on-track testing begins. Every dyno session provides crucial insights to enhance reliability and performance &ndash; two essential qualities for taking on a race that lasts 24 hours.

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<h2>A Legacy Born with the GT40</h2>

This development programme is rooted in a story that is deeply intertwined with the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford points out that the test cell used today sits only a few metres from the one where the engines for <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/24-hours-centenary-the-american-benchmark-ford-gt40-57263" target="_blank">the legendary GT40</a> were developed more than sixty years ago.

The manufacturer proudly embraces this connection between past and present. The lessons learned during the GT40&#39;s victorious Le Mans campaigns of the 1960s continue to shape today&#39;s engineering methods, while modern technologies are opening a new chapter in Ford&#39;s endurance racing story.

<h2>Preparing Drivers Before the First Track Test</h2>

The engine is only one part of the equation. At its Technology Centre in North Carolina, Ford Racing is also preparing <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/ford-reveals-the-names-of-the-2027-hypercar-driver-crews-60778" target="_blank">its drivers</a> using a full-scale cockpit mock-up, known as a &quot;buck&quot;, of its future Hypercar.

Driving position, control ergonomics, visibility and operating procedures are all refined in meticulous detail so that drivers are already fully familiar with the car before taking to the track. The objective is straightforward: arrive at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with as few unknowns as possible.

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The first test sessions in France are now just around the corner. Until then, every hour spent on the engine dyno and in the simulator brings Ford one step closer to its return to the Hypercar class in 2027.

For every team competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race never begins with the drop of the French tricolour. It comes to life months earlier, in workshops where data still outweighs the roar of the crowd. Yet one thing never changes: every simulation, every test and every finely tuned detail serves the same purpose &ndash; to be ready when the time comes to tackle the 13.626 kilometres of the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit.

With the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East creating geopolitical and logistical uncertainties, the 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series will be held in Europe, with races in France, Spain and Portugal for a special Winter Le Mans Series.

A range of options has been carefully evaluated since the beginning of the year with one clear objective: to avoid any disruption to the championship and provide teams, drivers and partners with certainty, regardless of how the situation evolves.

There were several factors that had a bearing on the decision to move the championship to Europe.&nbsp; Because of the unprecedented situation, the circuits in Asia that are able to host an ALMS event over the winter months had very limited availability and there were significant logistical costs involved. There was also the requirement to avoid clashes with Daytona and Bathurst.

As a result, the 2026&ndash;2027 season will exceptionally be held entirely in Europe under the banner of the Winter Le Mans Series. This unique format preserves the spirit of endurance racing while maintaining the high sporting standards that have become the hallmark of the championship.

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The Winter Le Mans Series will begin at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France with Rounds 1 and 2 on the 13-15 November.&nbsp; After the Christmas break, the ALMS will resume with two 4-hour races in Spain at the Circuito de Jerez near Cadiz on the 15-17 January.&nbsp; The 2026/27 season will conclude with a pair of races at the Aut&oacute;dromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal on the 19-21 February.&nbsp;

The season will also introduce significant new developments. The Hypercar category will make its debut, while the new Asian Le Mans Cup will be launched for LMP3 and GT3 competitors, with two 2-hour races at each event, further enhancing the diversity and appeal of the championship.

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Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l&#39;Ouest: &ldquo;2026 has proven to be exceptional, with external constraints that are completely out of our control forcing us to make decisions that are in everyone&rsquo;s interests in difficult circumstances.&nbsp; It is with all the facts, and after consultation with all parties, the decision was taken to move the Asian Le Mans Series to Europe for the 2026/27 season.

&ldquo;The Winter Le Mans Series will provide the best platform for teams and drivers to compete for one of the top prizes in endurance, the Asian Le Mans Series title and, for the LMP2 and GT3 champions, an automatic invitation to the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans.&nbsp; It will also be a great opportunity for fans of endurance to see Hypercars in action in the ALMS for the first time.

&ldquo;Le Mans is more than a place - it is a spirit. This winter, that spirit will thrive on some of Europe&rsquo;s finest circuits as we look forward to returning to Asia when conditions allow.&rdquo;

Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Lequien, ALMEM and LMEM CEO: &ldquo;While this represents a departure from the championship&rsquo;s traditional identity, it is a carefully considered decision driven by the current circumstances and made in the best interests of the series and its competitors.

&ldquo;We had explored several options with regards to holding races in Asia but, because of the late changes forced on us, the availability of circuits that are able to host an ALMS event were limited and the logistical costs were significant.&nbsp; We also had to try and avoid a clash Daytona and Bathhurst, which limited our options in Asia even further.

&ldquo;Our priority remains to provide teams with a stable, competitive and clearly defined championship. This approach ensures the continuity of the series while allowing competitors to prepare for the season with confidence.

&ldquo;The Asian Le Mans Series extends its sincere thanks to its teams, partners, manufacturers, drivers and fans for their continued trust and support. Although this season will feature an unprecedented format, it will retain all the excitement, competitiveness and endurance spirit that define the championship.&rdquo;

St&eacute;phane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder &amp; CEO: &ldquo;While moving the Asian Le Mans Series to Europe is not ideal, the situation in the Middle East dictated that we worked to find the best solution.&nbsp; Between SRO, LMEM and the ACO we have a huge pool of experience to draw on, and the consensus was a Winter Le Mans Series in southern Europe was the most sensible option given the mounting external constraints.

&ldquo;The championship will visit three of Europe&rsquo;s premier racing venues, Le Castellet, Jerez and Portimao, each renowned for its world-class facilities and outstanding sporting challenge. Now we have a confirmed calendar we are sure that the Winter Le Mans Series will be successful and we look forward to returning to Asia for the 2027/28 season.&rdquo;

2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series / Winter Le Mans Series Calendar:

<ul>
	<li>Rounds 1 &amp; 2 : 13-15 Nov 2026 - Circuit Paul Ricard (FRA)</li>
	<li>Rounds 3 &amp; 4 : 15-17 Jan 2027 - Circuito de Jerez Angel Nieto (ESP)</li>
	<li>Rounds 4 &amp; 5 : 19-21 Feb 2027 -&nbsp;Aut&oacute;dromo Internacional do Algarve (POR)</li>
</ul>

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Asian Le Mans Series 2026-2027 : an exceptional European season

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A legend among legends.
The new episode of our series Drivers of Destiny featuring the incomparable Jacky Ickx is now live! Discover the story of a true icon and his historic path through the world of motorsport. Watch the full episode now.

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Round 3 of the 2026 European Le Mans Series was held under blue skies and high temperatures at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari with Esteban Masson taking the chequered flag at the end of the 4 Hours of Imola in the #29 Forestier Racing by Panis Oreca-Gibson, over 50 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

24hBackstage

Getting to know TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

Video 360

Speaker 24h

Circuit run

Army

Future

Le Mans Magazine

Ford reveals first images of its Hypercar on track

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