Ford has taken the first real step toward returning to the top of endurance racing, putting its LMDh prototype (which will surely be called the GT40) on track at Circuit Paul Ricard in France.
The car began shakedown running on August 5 and America’s last F1 driver Logan Sergeant took over for the first proper test sessions. Ford’s new Hypercar uses a naturally aspirated 5.4 L V8 based on the Ford Coyote engine architecture. The sound alone makes clear that Ford has no intention of sneaking back into Le Mans quietly.
The target is 2027, when Ford will enter the FIA World Endurance Championship and return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans’ top class for the first time in almost six decades. That history matters. Ford won Le Mans outright four consecutive times from 1966 through 1969, forever tying the Blue Oval to the race.
Yes, Ford did return to Le Mans in 2016 and won its GTE Pro class, but 2027 is different. This time, Ford is coming back for the overall win in the top-tier Prototype. Nearly sixty years after the GT40’s last triumph, another V8-powered Ford prototype is stretching its legs in France. The road back to Le Mans has officially begun.
Interesting ….. thank you!
Car looks cool, for certain.