Ford Hypercar Breaks Cover in First Test

Ford Racing has revealed the first images of its Hypercar that is due to make its debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year as it begins on-track testing.

The manufacturer conducted initial shakedown runs for the yet-to-be-named LMDh machine earlier this month but has now commenced full testing at Paul Ricard, close to the ORECA facility where the car was built.

The car is powered by a 5.4-liter Coyote V8 engine, which has been developed in-house by Ford, and has then been mated to the ORECA chassis.

The initial testing has been carried out by Porsche factory driver Matt Campbell and WEC Ford Mustang GT3 EVO racer Logan Sargeant, while Acura IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship regular Tom Blomqvist, who brings existing experience of racing an ORECA-based LMDh platform, is also due to drive the car later this week.

The first images show the car in a camouflaged livery and without the front fin that has been commonplace among other ORECA-based designs.

A team statement read: “The Hypercar commenced testing on Wednesday Aug. 5 starting with several days of shakedown testing, which proceeded smoothly and according to plan.

“The team worked methodically through a comprehensive program to activate and verify each control system, all of which are now fully functional and ready ahead of the first track tests scheduled for this week and next.”

McLaren, the other manufacturer joining the WEC’s Hypercar ranks for 2027, began its test program much earlier in the year back in May, but Ford Hypercar program manager Dan Sayers had previously said he was not concerned about the Ford hitting the track later than its fellow newcomer.

Ford has already revealed its full driver roster for the WEC next year. It announced an initial trio of Sargeant, Mike Rockenfeller and Seb Priaulx back in January, before then confirming Blomqvist, Campbell and Nick Yelloly during this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans event.