24h Le Mans
Ford Racing has reached the first major milestone in its 2027 FIA WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans campaign. The American Hypercar covered 1,000 kilometres in three days, officially launching the development programme that will span three continents.
The countdown begins. Just weeks after its 5.4-litre Coyote-based V8 engine fired up for the first time, the Ford Hypercar was on track for tests at the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France. A symbolic step in the project to bring the US brand back to the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027.
To the Ford Racing team, the tests were the real starting point. After a shakedown, the car completed three full days on track, clocking over 1,000 kilometres. For a newborn car, that’s quite a first outing!
All Ford programme drivers attended the test. Logan Sargeant, Matt Campbell, Tom Blomqvist and Mike Rockenfeller took turns at the wheel, while Sebastian Priaulx and Nick Yelloly helped with data collection to prepare the next stage of development.
Matt Campbell: ‘I’ve been here for the whole test and from my side, it’s gone smoothly. I’ve seen fans online raving about how awesome the sound is, but from inside the cockpit, it’s on another level – it’s absolutely deafening! I’m genuinely excited for what’s ahead with this car. We know there’s a long road in front of us, but this has been a really positive start. I’ve had the most track time out of the drivers, and aside from a few minor teething issues – which you’d expect at the beginning of a new programme – everything has gone well. From here, things really ramp up: I’m heading back to the USA for three days of sim work before returning to Europe for the next test.’
The pace ramps up from here on. After three days on the simulator in North Carolina, Ford heads to Portimão in early September. Then Silverstone, Monza, Imola and Aragon in Europe and then back to the States towards the end of the year for new more destinations: Circuit of the Americas (Austin) and Sebring.
A packed schedule! Ford is looking to get to know the car better kilometre after kilometre, fine-tuning the set-ups to turn the car fresh from the workshop into a racing machine.
The goal is to get a solid grounding by the first quarter of 2027. Paul Ricard is just the first stage. As everyone knows, all great journeys begin with a first step. Before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a car is designed, built, and tested. The first few laps are a glimpse of things to come.
