Overview
- Ford began a structured shakedown program on August 5 and says its activation tests have completed with all control systems now fully operational.
- The prototype moved to on‑track running in mid‑August at Circuit Paul Ricard, where factory drivers Matt Campbell and Logan Sargeant carried out the first public laps and Tom Blomqvist and Mike Rockenfeller are set to join further sessions.
- The car uses an Oreca‑built LMDh chassis and a naturally aspirated 5.4‑liter V8 derived from Ford’s Coyote engine that was mounted and started in Dearborn, a package noted for its distinctive V8 exhaust character.
- Ford is keeping bodywork details hidden with blue‑white camouflage and has not announced the vehicle’s official name, saying the final reveal will follow completion of development testing as more European test days are scheduled.
- The LMDh program positions Ford to race in IMSA‑compatible machinery in the 2027 WEC season and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a six‑driver pool that includes Nick Yelloly, Sebastian Priaulx and the returning Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller.