Ford Completes First Track Test for New Hypercar at Paul Ricard

Ford has taken the first major step toward its return to the top tier of endurance racing by completing an extensive track test with its new Hypercar. The initial outing at the Paul Ricard circuit followed months of preparatory work on the engine, simulator runs and team procedures. Rather than a blind shake-down, the three-day test represented the culmination of an intensive development phase aimed at preparing the brand for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The American manufacturer built the foundations of the project through careful testing in controlled environments. Engineers spent countless hours refining the 5.4-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine on the dynamometer in Dearborn before its initial fire-up in France. Ford partnered with chassis constructor Oreca to integrate the bespoke powertrain as part of its broader sporting strategy for the upcoming top-class entry, which will see the brand face established manufacturers including Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Genesis, McLaren, Peugeot and Toyota.

Dan Sayers, WEC Hypercar Program Manager at Ford Racing, noted that reaching the circuit and completing three full days of running fulfilled the exact milestone the team established ahead of time. By ensuring the powertrain and chassis were plug-and-play from the moment the garage doors opened, engineers were able to gather valuable data from the very first lap rather than spending valuable track time chasing basic reliability issues.

All six drivers signed to the development programme were present at the French circuit to share driving duties and provide feedback. The driver roster combines the previously announced trio of Sebastian Priaulx, Mike Rockenfeller and Logan Sargeant with three additional pilots, creating a collaborative testing environment. Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Racing, emphasized that having the entire driver lineup on hand to push the project forward underlines the cooperative spirit underpinning the campaign.

For Logan Sargeant, getting behind the wheel for the opening miles offered an immediate sense of progress despite the steep learning curve inherent to any brand-new prototype. The American driver highlighted that the extensive hours spent in the simulator prior to the test gave the team a crucial head start, allowing them to hit the ground running without losing precious time during the initial installation phases.

The primary objective of the Paul Ricard test was not outright performance, but rather system validation and data correlation. Every kilometre recorded on track is currently being fed back into simulation models, allowing engineers to spot minor glitches early and refine the package before it encounters harsher track environments. This iterative process forms the backbone of Ford's multi-continent testing schedule, which will span several tracks over the coming months.

The ultimate horizon for the programme remains the 95th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, scheduled for 9–13 June 2027, where Ford will seek a return to the overall winner's circle exactly sixty years after its famous streak of victories between 1966 and 1969. With a packed schedule of testing still ahead before the opening round of the 2027 WEC season, the team maintains a measured approach while building confidence from its initial foundation on track.

Back to all WEC / GT3 news