Ford fires up the engines
There will still be a wait for the 2026 championship to resume, with the next event scheduled for September 6 at the US circuit of Austin, but still regarding American realities, another wait for fans has meanwhile ended: that of the first test of the Ford, which will make its debut next season in Hypercar. As expected, the prototype (which does not yet have a name) completed its first laps on the French circuit of Paul Ricard with Matt Campbell and Logan Sargeant at the wheel.
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The car features a 5.4-liter V8 Coyote engine, developed by Ford and paired with the Oreca chassis. After the first tests carried out in early August, the Detroit-based company went to Le Castellet for the first on-track tests, with the car characterized by the camouflage livery. In the coming days, testing will continue in France, all while awaiting the Hypercar debut in 2027 with Campbell, former F1 driver Sargeant, and other drivers named Tom Blomqvist, Mike Rockenfeller, and Sebastian Priaulx.
The wait is over… FIRST LOOK at the @FordRacing HYPERCAR! 🔥
And doesn’t it look stunning? We couldn’t be more excited to see this car hit the track as the project continues at full-throttle towards 2027.
What do you think? 👀
#WEC #Ford pic.twitter.com/bJDPAfIs31Read more Sprint data: Mercedes does well but with Leclerc Ferrari is convincing
— FIA World Endurance Championship (@FIAWEC) August 17, 2026
Regarding the testing and on-track program, Ford released an official statement: “The Hypercar began testing on Wednesday, August 5, starting with some initial test days that took place smoothly and according to plan. The team worked methodically following a comprehensive program to activate and verify every control system; all systems are now fully operational and ready for the first on-track tests scheduled for this week and next.”
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