Ford Expands LMDh Test Fleet Ahead of 2027 WEC Entry
Ford will field a second LMDh chassis at Monza later this month, positioning the company for its 2027 World Endurance Championship Hypercar launch.
After three preliminary sessions with a single prototype built with ORECA Motorsport, the automaker plans a split‑focus at Monza: one drive for mechanical performance, another for hybrid control systems, followed by endurance trials. This mirrors Ferrari’s dual‑car strategy that preceded the 499P’s triple Le Mans triumphs.
Testing Roadmap and Technical Focus
Ford Racing’s Hypercar programme chief Dan Sayers says the early sessions concentrated on debugging the complex hybrid electronics. “We’ve been careful not to tweak the control logic during the first runs,” he explains. “Introducing a second car gives the performance team a tangible target to optimize.”
The Monza tests precede a Le Mans‑distance simulation at the Aragon circuit in Spain next month. The electric‑assist LMDh is powered by a 5.4‑litre, normally aspirated V8 derived from the Mustang Coyote engine.
Venues Create a Progressive Test Cycle
Ford’s testing schedule began on 5 August at Paul Ricard’s school track, where the prototype covered roughly 1,300 km. From there the crew moved to the full circuit for three days, followed by a four‑day spell at Portimão, Portugal. Sunday tests at Silverstone marked the first longer runs, a step toward the endurance run scheduled for November.
“The on‑and‑off rhythm at Ricard offered us invaluable data‑analysis windows,” Sayers notes. “We could refine control systems day by day, and each session added clarity.”
At Portimão the team revealed emerging issues, reinforcing the iterative nature of the development. Sayers added that Silverstone’s longer runs “set the tone for the endurance work to come.”
Official Reveal Looms on Thanksgiving
Ford’s 2027 WEC contender will be christened during the car’s official launch on Thanksgiving, a date that underscores the high‑profile nature of the debut. While the prototype remains unnamed, the program’s trajectory signals a serious bid to challenge the existing hypercar hierarchy next season.
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