Development on Ford Racing's LMDh machine is hitting its stride as the team prepares to double its presence on track. According to Motorsport.com Italia, the Blue Oval's prototype program will field two cars at Monza starting from the upcoming October tests, marking a crucial step in accelerating work ahead of end-of-year homologation.
Things are moving fast. After initial shakedown runs in the Oreca testing area at Paul Ricard, followed by three spaced-out track days, the squad headed to Portimão for a brutal four-day stint. Then came Silverstone, where torrential rain and blue skies mixed to deliver nearly 1,300 kilometers of data across different Michelin tire compounds. LMDh project head Dan Sayers notes that reliability has been encouragingly solid, even if endurance racing has a habit of biting you with minor details like sensor brackets and vibrations.
We have a lot of enthusiasm around us, but we just need to concentrate and make sure we are as prepared as possible for next year,
The sheer geographical spread of the operation is an engineering feat in itself. Powertrain engineering happens in Detroit, performance groups are based in Charlotte, and vehicle design is handled by Ford Racing engineers who meet up with the operational team from the UK. Ford Racing is even drawing on cross-pollination from its F1 and WRC efforts, utilizing engineers who previously worked with Red Bull to refine the Bosch software and Fortescue MGU battery systems.
Now, the logistics are about to get tougher. The upcoming test at Monza will bring a second chassis into active service alongside the wind tunnel unit, effectively doubling the team's testing capacity from here on out. One car will focus on control systems while the other tackles mechanical setups.
Looking further ahead, an endurance test is scheduled for November in Aragón, followed by a punishing run at Sebring early in 2027, with COTA also penciled in for U.S. running. Official driver pairings from the star-studded lineup of Matt Campbell, Nick Yelloly, Mike Rockenfeller, Sébastian Priaulx, Logan Sargeant, and Tom Blomqvist will not be locked in until late in the year after the endurance tests and ergonomic evaluations are complete. As Sayers points out, there is still a massive mountain to climb to reach the level of their rivals, but the machine is moving.
"We have a lot of enthusiasm around us, but we just need to concentrate and make sure we are as prepared as possible for next year," Sayers said. "I keep telling everyone that you have to enjoy these moments, because being part of this journey with Ford Racing is incredible."
