Ford revealed its brand‑new LMDh hypercar in a complete shakedown at Circuit Paul Ricard, setting the pace for its 2027 World Endurance Championship entry.
Testing and Drivers
The chassis, based on ORECA’s design and fitted with a freshly built 5.4‑litre naturally aspirated V8 derived from the Coyote, lit up the track for the first time last month. “Running‑in tests began on 5 August and proceeded as planned,” a Ford Racing statement detailed, citing full activation of all control systems.
Matt Campbell and Logan Sargeant spearheaded the initial session, with teammates Tom Blomqvist and Mike Rockenfeller slated to follow. Nick Yelloly and Sebastian Priaulx will later join the programme ahead of the car’s championship debut.
Technical Build and Design
The prototype sports a blue‑and‑white camouflage livery, “Ford Racing” lettering, and a black fin. A low nose reminiscent of the Ferrari 499P moves forward, dropping a widened centreline splitter beneath the body. Two aerodynamic flaps, or “flicks,” sit beside the front mudguards, while a tunnel between the wheel arches channels air into the side skirts.
At the rear, wing supports tuck into an unusually hollowed wheel‑arch, merging seamlessly with the body’s central section that houses a horizontal LED strip for rear lights. The diffuser widens into a squared‑off lower panel, and a prominent bonnet fin, mirroring the Porsche 963, frames a large air intake beneath an outlined cockpit cover.
Upcoming Schedule
The next week will see the car hit track again with the same driver roster, pushing performance further. Once the shakedown data is compiled, Ford will calibrate the vehicle for its 2027 launch, confirming the strategy that places the LMDh platform at the forefront of endurance racing.
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