Ford's new Hypercar takes to the track
Latest V8 contender gets first run out ahead of 2027 WEC campaign
It wouldn’t be possible to cover every new machine that made it into the world of top tier sportscar racing; such is the popularity of the latest Hypercar regulations that everyone from Genesis to Peugeot is competing. But when it’s Ford, such a famous name when it comes to Le Mans, things are a bit different; there’s the GT40, of course, but don’t forget that the last GT won in its debut year. With maybe an underhand tactic or two, sure, but the point was Ford really, really cares when it comes to this sort of thing.
This is the car it will compete in the 2027 World Endurance Championship with, an as-yet-unnamed machine that will be driven by Matt Campbell, Logan Sargeant, Tom Blomqvist and Mike Rockenfeller in two works entries. Notable for now is the inclusion of a 5.4-litre V8, derived from the Mustang’s Coyote unit and promising a thunderous soundtrack to rival the Cadillac’s. The test took place at Paul Ricard, which isn’t far from Oreca, chassis provider for the Ford Hypercar project. Most of the current Hypercar class are these LMDh spec racers, using chassis built by Oreca, Multimatic and Dallara: see BMW (Dallara), Genesis (Oreca), McLaren (Dallara) and Alpine (Oreca). The Ferrari 499P, Aston Martin Valkyrie, Peugeot 9X8 and Toyota TR010 use in house design, so they’re classed as LMH.
As for the design, no concessions to nostalgia can be afforded this time around. Indeed if it wasn’t for the Ford Racing wrap, there’d be nothing to mark this out as a Blue Oval racer. Every centimetre exists to make best use possible of the passing air, from wheelarches that are more vent than bodywork to a front end that blends splitter and flics into one giant aerodynamic device. The fin running through the spine of the Ford looks a significant enough structure to require planning permission. All to be expected at this level of motorsport, of course.
A Ford Racing statement said: “Testing of the Hypercar began on Wednesday 5 August, starting with several days of running-in tests, which went smoothly and according to plan. The team methodically followed a comprehensive programme to activate and verify every control system; these are now all fully operational and ready for the first track tests scheduled for this week and next.” All systems go, basically, as everything possible is done to get Ford up to speed for 2027. Expect the camo to come off, a name to be announced and more details confirmed over the next few months. In case you hadn’t noticed, this is a pretty big deal for Ford. History couldn’t repeat itself - could it?
A question of form over function, for sure. Maybe I just need to re-calibrate my brain as I recall the Group C cars, some of which were simply stunning.
Good to have a decent level of manufacturer involvement these days.
Brilliant that Ford are coming back in the top class. The more the merrier.
It's tough to win in WEC .. and great racing. Toyota won at Le Mans in June more by being cleverer than the rest than by being able to lap faster (the top 4 cars were separated by only 40s .. over 24 hours ... )
Perhaps differing 'AI' will come up with something genuinely next level, otherwise may as well ban computers in the process so they're uniquely custom hand built like 'the good old days'.
As it is they may as well just put 'design me a hypercar' into ChatGPT and put their feet up, especially now so much of the physical stuff can be 3d printed and eventually all of it will be.
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