Ford is expanding its testing program for the World Endurance Championship (WEC), introducing a second LMDh vehicle that will be presented this month in Monza. This new addition will mark an important step in the American brand’s preparations for its entry into the Hypercar category next season.
So far, Ford has conducted three tests with a single chassis of its vehicle, which has been developed in collaboration with ORECA Motorsport. With the introduction of the second vehicle, the aim is to improve both performance and durability, a similar approach to that taken by Ferrari with its 499P model.
According to Dan Sayers, head of Ford’s competition car program, the Monza machine will be split between one dedicated to mechanical performance and the other to control systems. Sayers has noted that complex control system solutions for the hybrid vehicle are currently being worked on.
The new addition will make it easier for the performance team, which will have an additional vehicle to work with. The Monza test will pave the way for a simulation of the Le Mans distance to be held at the Aragón circuit in Spain in November. Ford has expressed initial satisfaction with the test results, highlighting that the car has successfully passed initial tests at tracks such as Paul Ricard and Portimao.
Ford’s new LMDh, equipped with a 5.4-liter atmospheric V8 engine based on the Mustang Coyote platform, has covered approximately 1300 km during the first test sessions. Ford expects to make the official presentation of its race car name for 2027 on Thanksgiving day at the end of November.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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