--- title: "See and Hear Ford’s First Le Mans Prototype in 60 Years Finally Hit the Track" date: "2026-08-17" modified: "2026-08-17" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/see-and-hear-fords-first-le-mans-prototype-in-60-years-hit-the-track-for-the-first-time" categories: - "Ford News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Racing" - "WEC" tags: - "Ford" - "race car" --- # See and Hear Ford’s First Le Mans Prototype in 60 Years Finally Hit the Track ![Ford LMDh hypercar testing at Paul Ricard]() *\Ford\* When the 2027 [World Endurance Championship]() kicks off in Qatar in March, [Ford]() plans to be right there on the grid with a new prototype, carrying the legacy of the GT40 six decades since its triumphs. Earlier this month, the still-unnamed LMDh racer was testing at Paul Ricard in France, and Ford just released images of the session. The machine uses a 5.4-liter V8 incorporating a block loosely based on the Coyote's. It makes a suitably burbly tone you can sample below, and it's bolted to an Oreca chassis. Genesis, Alpine, and Acura also use Oreca's platform, and the last of those brands is set to [exit IMSA at the end of the 2026 season](). As such, Tom Blomqvist and Nick Yelloly, two drivers who currently field the Acura ARX-06 in that championship, will be joining Ford's WEC effort next year alongside Matt Campbell. Meanwhile, Logan Sargeant, Mike Rockenfeller, and Sebastian Priaulx will compete in another entry. ![]() ![]() ![]() The images seen here are from the car's shakedown on August 5. Earlier today, Campbell and Sargeant were scheduled to drive. Although LMDh-class cars tend to blend together from a design perspective, Ford's contender appears to bear more similarity, stylistically speaking, to the [Genesis]() than the Alpine or Acura, with its smoother bodywork and flatter nose. I'm picking up a little Porsche 963 along the front end, and the way the tail kicks up along the rear fender, just below the wing, almost seems like a nod to the Mustang. Also, note the subtle stripe and "FORD" in block lettering along the bottom edge of the profile, referencing the legendary GT40. Will Ford's return to Le Mans' top class be as successful? If it is, it probably won't happen immediately; it takes some time for teams to get up to speed in endurance racing, after all. Who knows what the future holds, though? At least we can be damn sure it'll sound good—[hear for yourself](). https://www.instagram.com/p/DcIrvIsRGgG/ *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()