Ford Racing’s 2027 LMDh prototype, which is set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2027 onwards, has finally broken cover, with the American marque releasing shots from a track test today at Paul Ricard.
Today’s test comes after the new Hypercar commenced testing on Wednesday 5 August starting with several days of shakedown testing (believed to be at the driving centre adjacent to Circuit Paul Ricard), which Ford Racing say proceeded smoothly and according to plan.
The team worked through a comprehensive programme to activate and verify each control system, all of which are now fully functional and ready ahead of the first track tests which started today and are scheduled for this week and next.
Matt Campbell, Mike Rockenfeller and Tom Blomqvist were on-site for the initial shakedown stage with Matt and Logan Sargeant taking the wheel for the first track test today. Blomqvist is also set to test the car in the coming days.
The V8-powered, ORECA-based prototype, pictured in a camouflage livery, is being developed as part of Ford’s push to win Le Mans overall for a fifth time, and fight for a World Hypercar Manufacturers’ title.
The test at Le Castellet, a stone’s throw from ORECA’s headquarters, follows extensive simulator work, dyno testing and a successful fire-up of the 5.4-litre Coyote-based V8 engine in the test chassis last month.
Going forward, Ford plans to test the car across Europe ahead of homologation, before the start of the 2027 season. All six of Ford’s signed Hypercar drivers are set to take part in the test programme.
Mike Rockenfeller, Seb Priaulx and Logan Sargeant were the first named back in January, before longtime Porsche works driver Matt Campbell and Tom Blomqvist and Nick Yelloly from the Acura GTP programme were added to the stable in June.
Images courtesy of Ford Racing/ Drew Gibson Photography
