Ford LMDh Breaks New Ground with 1,000‑km Pulse at Paul Ricard
Ford Racing’s LMDh, racing under the 2027 World Endurance Championship banner, completed a 1,000‑kilometre streak at Circuit Paul Ricard, marking the first large‑scale assessment of the Oreca‑built, Coyote‑derived V8 platform.
From Shakedown to Three‑Day Grind
The prototype kicked off with a short shakedown to confirm foundational systems, then pushed into a rigorous, three‑day test regime covering a total distance that eclipsed the 1,000‑km mark.
Six seasoned drivers—Logan Sargeant, Matt Campbell, Tom Blomqvist, Mike Rockenfeller, with pitlane visibility from Sebastian Priaulx and Nick Yelloly—rotated the LMDh over the days, each contributing telemetry vital to the evolving setup.
Engine and Chassis Lines Up
The LMDh houses a newly tuned 5.4‑litre V8, spun from Ford’s flagship Coyote architecture, and relies on the Oreca chassis foundation. Data from the French round will help fine‑tune power delivery and aerodynamic behaviour before the car sees steeper mechanical demands.
Road‑to‑Le‑Mans: Simulator Back‑and‑Forth
Following the Paul Ricard program, Ford Racing’s North Carolina workshop will host a three‑day simulation series, synchronising on‑track footage with virtual modelling to cross‑validate performance indicators.
Global Test Tour Aims to Cover All Terrain
Early September will seat the LMDh at Portimao, subsequently moving to Silverstone, Monza, Imola, Aragon, Austin, and Sebring. Each venue tests the car’s adaptability to varying circuits, weather and tyre wear profiles critical to 2027 success.
Team Voices Outline the Vision
Director Mark Rushbrook underscored the significance: “ Launching the LMDh at Paul Ricard marked a pivotal learning step. Every kilometre brings us nearer to Le Mans and reinforces our long‑term endurance ambitions.”
Head of the WEC Hypercar initiative, Dan Sayers, added: “Paul Ricard’s shakedown and three days of on‑track assessment confirmed we are fully prepared to transition from theory to practical execution.”
Commanding the Road Ahead
With collaborative driving, advanced simulation camps, and a planned circuit circuit, Ford’s LMDh is carving a concrete path toward a 2027 Hypercar debut.
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