Key takeaways
- Paul Ricard shakedown complete: Ford logged over 1,000 km in France during a multi-day test with its upcoming LMDh prototype.
- Driver roster in action: Matt Campbell, Logan Sargeant, Tom Blomqvist, and Mike Rockenfeller handled driving duties during the initial track rollout.
- Oreca chassis & V8 engine: The unnamed prototype features an Oreca chassis paired with a 5.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine.
Ford has completed its first multi-day track test for its upcoming World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar program, running over 1,000 kilometers at Circuit Paul Ricard in France. Program director Dan Sayers praised the initial shakedown, confirming that the American manufacturer has established a strong operational foundation ahead of its top-class debut in 2027.
The test featured four of Ford’s six confirmed factory drivers for the 2027 campaign: Logan Sargeant, Matt Campbell, Tom Blomqvist, and Mike Rockenfeller. They will be joined in the full lineup by Sebastian Priaulx and Nick Yelloly.
“Reaching Paul Ricard and completing the shakedown of the car and three full days of testing was exactly the milestone we set as our goal,” Sayers explained. “All the preparation work—dyno testing in Dearborn, the initial engine fire-up in France, and countless simulator hours—was aimed at ensuring that when we hit the track, we were ready to run without major setbacks.”
“We still have a long list of milestones to hit before the first quarter of 2027, but these last few weeks have given the team a lot of confidence and a solid base to build upon,” Sayers added.
Built around an Oreca chassis, the prototype is powered by a 5.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine integrated with the standardized LMDh hybrid system. Ford’s rollout follows McLaren’s on-track debut with its MCL-HY prototype earlier this year as both brands prepare for 2027 entries.
The endurance update comes alongside major news in motorsport, as WEC renewed its exclusive hypercar tire partnership with Michelin through 2032. Meanwhile, Ferrari detailed its support for Rafael Câmara’s 2027 F1 bid with Haas, while Nissan signed Zane Maloney alongside Oliver Rowland for Formula E’s Gen4 debut.
The 2026 WEC season returns on September 6 for the Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete live coverage of every session. Follow all updates on our news page.
FIA WEC 2026: Hypercar Drivers’ World Championship Standings (Top 5)
| Pos | Driver | Team | Car | Points |
| 1 | Kevin Estre / André Lotterer / Laurens Vanthoor | Porsche Penske Motorsport | Porsche 963 | 117 |
| 2 | Kamui Kobayashi / Nyck de Vries / Mike Conway | Toyota Gazoo Racing | Toyota GR010 Hybrid | 98 |
| 3 | Nicklas Nielsen / Antonio Fuoco / Miguel Molina | Ferrari AF Corse | Ferrari 499P | 96 |
| 4 | Callum Ilott / Will Stevens | Hertz Team JOTA | Porsche 963 | 77 |
| 5 | Matt Campbell / Michael Christensen / Frédéric Makowiecki | Porsche Penske Motorsport | Porsche 963 | 71 |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. When will Ford make its debut in the WEC Hypercar class?
Ford will enter the World Endurance Championship Hypercar class at the start of the 2027 season.
2. Which chassis and engine combination powers the Ford LMDh prototype?
The prototype utilizes an Oreca chassis paired with a 5.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine and the spec LMDh hybrid system.
3. Who are the drivers confirmed for Ford’s 2027 Hypercar program?
Ford has confirmed Logan Sargeant, Matt Campbell, Tom Blomqvist, Mike Rockenfeller, Sebastian Priaulx, and Nick Yelloly.
