--- title: "Ford Mustang GTD’s Nurburgring Time Might Have to Wait a Few Months" date: "2024-10-03" modified: "2024-10-03" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-mustang-gtds-nurburgring-time-might-have-to-wait-a-few-months" categories: - "Ford News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Mustang" - "sports car" --- # Ford Mustang GTD’s Nurburgring Time Might Have to Wait a Few Months ![]() It seems like Ford still isn't satisfied with the Mustang GTD's Nurburgring lap times. While the Blue Oval hasn't spoken much about its attempts, the automaker has obviously been hitting it hard there recently. Not only did it rent out the track for a private session, but it also had a massive tent set up with the [Mustang GTD]() inside. If breaking the seven-minute mark is what Ford Performance is after, it'll likely have to wait until 2025 to do so as the weather shut down its most recent chance. YouTuber and racing driver Misha Charoudin, who knows the Nurburgring as well as anyone, posted a video that shows the Ford Performance tent with the Mustang GTD roaring on track in the background. However, since most of the track was wet, the ambient temperatures were low, and it was windy, Ford wasn't able to push the 800-plus horsepower monster safely. And if Ford wants ideal track temperatures to make its mark on the 'Ring, it might have to wait until spring. The weather is only going to get colder as we head deeper into fall and eventually winter. Attempting such a lap time isn't cheap, as it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for track rental and licensing fees, according to Charoudin. That isn't including the cost of shipping the car, all of the required equipment, and the Ford Performance engineering team to Germany. Running a perfect, unhindered Nurburgring lap time is incredibly expensive, so Ford isn't likely to waste everything on more bad weather as temperatures drop. ![]() ![]() We just saw how much of a difference this made in the [Mercedes-AMG One's Nurburgring]() lap time—about five seconds. When the Germans recently took their F1-derived hypercar to the 'Ring, they broke their own production car lap record. The only changes were the track and weather conditions. Since Ford was already at the Nurburgring, it used that track time to shoot some b-roll with the $325,000 Mustang. Further proving that a Nurburgring lap time was Ford's goal is the map of the track right under the "GTD" logo on the Mustang's trunk lid. It'll probably stay right there until they reach their goal, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP5ITTp5Rqg No American car has ever broken the seven-minute mark at the 'Ring. The [Dodge Viper ACR]() got close in 2017, with a 7:01.3 time. Making history as the first American performance car to actually go that quick—with all the press surrounding the feat—is probably worth the time and money. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()