Ford Racing has taken another major step towards its return to the top level of endurance racing, with its new Hypercar beginning its testing programme at Circuit Paul Ricard ahead of a 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) debut.
The as-yet-unnamed prototype has now appeared on track for the first time after Ford initially completed a behind-closed-doors shakedown earlier in August. The American manufacturer will join an expanding Hypercar field next season alongside McLaren, with both marques preparing to return to the fight for overall honours at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Ford completes initial Hypercar shakedown ahead of 2027 WEC debut
Ford first sent its new prototype out of the pits earlier this month as the team began working through the initial stages of its development programme.
Rather than immediately chasing performance, the opening run focused on activating and checking the car’s various control systems. The programme allowed Ford to confirm that those systems operated correctly before moving into more substantial testing.
That first outing therefore provided an important technical milestone before the manufacturer began its scheduled running at Paul Ricard.
Paul Ricard testing programme gets underway
Ford has now moved into the next phase of preparation at the French circuit, with formal testing taking place across this week and the next.
Matt Campbell, Mike Rockenfeller and Tom Blomqvist attended the initial shakedown as Ford began establishing its baseline with the new car. Campbell subsequently returned to driving duties at Paul Ricard on 17 August alongside Logan Sargeant.
Blomqvist is also expected to join the programme in the coming days as Ford continues accumulating mileage and developing the package ahead of its competitive debut.
The running gives the manufacturer valuable track time as it works through an extensive development schedule before homologation and the beginning of the 2027 season.
Experienced line-up forms around Ford 2027 WEC Hypercar programme
Ford has assembled a diverse group of drivers for its Hypercar project, drawing on experience across endurance racing, single-seaters and top-level international competition.
Campbell, Rockenfeller, Blomqvist and Sargeant form part of the development effort, while Sebastian Priaulx and Nick Yelloly complete Ford’s confirmed 2027 Hypercar line-up.
Their combined experience should give the manufacturer multiple perspectives during development as it refines the car across different circuits and conditions.
Ford joins expanding 2027 WEC Hypercar field
Ford will enter a category that continues to attract major manufacturers. McLaren will also join the FIA WEC Hypercar ranks in 2027 after completing the rollout of its MCL-HY in Italy earlier this year.
For Ford, however, the programme carries particular historical significance. The manufacturer will return to the fight for overall Le Mans victory as it looks to build on one of the most recognisable legacies in endurance racing.
The immediate focus remains development rather than results. With the first shakedown completed and the Paul Ricard programme underway, Ford can now begin gathering the mileage and data required to turn its new Hypercar into a competitive package.
The 2027 season will ultimately provide the true test, when Ford returns to the highest level of the FIA WEC with ambitions of competing for both Le Mans victory and World Championship honours
