For generations, the Nürburgring Nordschleife has stood as the ultimate proving ground, a relentless 12.9-mile ribbon of asphalt, twists, and elevation changes known affectionately as the "Green Hell." It's a place where legends are made, and limits are pushed. At Ford Racing, we've always been driven by the desire to quantify performance, to truly understand the boundaries of what our vehicles can achieve. Now, with the Ford GT Mk IV, we've not only put it all together but delivered a performance that etches its name into the history books.
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This moment feels particularly fitting — a true "mic drop moment" — as we celebrate the final car of this generation of the iconic Ford GT. It's been 10 years since the Ford GT debuted and secured a class win at Le Mans, and a remarkable 60 years since the legendary Ford GT40 began Ford's storied relationship with the world's most famous endurance race. What better way to honor that legacy than by pushing the absolute limits of engineering and driver skill on another fabled circuit?
The Ford GT Mk IV has set the record as the fastest American OEM around the Nürburgring, and the third fastest overall car to ever lap the Nordschleife. This 6:15.977 time also means that the GT Mk IV — as a track-only vehicle classified in the prototype category — is the fastest car currently available for purchase to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. This time also means that the GT Mk IV is the fastest car that is exclusively powered by an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car around the 'Ring.
This incredible machine is one of only 67 examples scheduled for production, marking the culmination of the third generation of the Ford GT. Each of these rare beasts is a testament to uncompromising performance, built with a specially engineered twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost® engine with over 800 horsepower, coupled with Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) race suspension from engineering partner, Multimatic, a longer wheelbase, and a bespoke racing gearbox. Its carbon fiber "long tail" body is a functional work of art, designed for maximum downforce and relentless speed. Bring all of these ingredients together and you have the recipe for a blistering and record-breaking lap of 6:15.977.
To tame the Green Hell and extract every ounce of performance from the GT Mk IV, you need a driver of exceptional talent and intimate knowledge of the track. Enter Frédéric Vervisch, a factory driver for Ford Racing. Frédéric is no stranger to the Nürburgring's challenges, having twice conquered the gruelling Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2019 and 2022. He also made history as one of the first winners in the new Mustang GT3 at the 2025 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, a testament to his versatility and winning pedigree.
"Driving the Ford GT Mk IV at the Nürburgring is an experience unlike any other," Frédéric shared after his monumental laps. "The car is an absolute weapon, a true extension of your will. Every input is met with an immediate, precise response. Through the Kesselchen, over the Flugplatz, it just inspires confidence, allowing you to push harder and harder. You feel the history of the track, and you feel the immense capability of the Ford Racing engineers who poured their hearts into this machine. To set these records is a dream come true, a testament to what's possible when passion meets precision."
"The car is an absolute weapon, a true extension of your will.” Frédéric Vervisch, Ford Racing factory driver
Our assault on the Nürburgring with the GT Mk IV was a team effort, with the support of our partners at Multimatic and Michelin. This moment also underscores the incredible diversity of performance vehicles within the Ford Racing stable. We've brought everything from purpose-built electric demonstrators to track-focused production cars to this iconic circuit, each pushing the boundaries of technology and showcasing our commitment to innovation. What we learn from these extreme challenges directly translates into making better road cars for our customers worldwide.
Here's a look at some of the incredible performances our vehicles have delivered at the Nürburgring:
This result means that the Ford GT Mk IV is faster around the Nordschleife than the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X (also in the prototype category) to become the fastest American OEM around the ‘Ring. In fact, the Ford GT Mk IV is now the 3rd fastest vehicle of any type to lap the ‘Ring including race cars and prototype electric vehicles.
But this isn't just about lap times; it's about our unwavering commitment to racing, to innovation, and to delivering exhilarating experiences for our customers. Ford Racing is about pushing boundaries, learning, and continually evolving. The Ford GT Mk IV's performance at the Nürburgring is a powerful statement of our ambition and a thrilling glimpse into the future of performance. We race to win, we race to learn, and we race to bring that winning spirit to everyone who loves Ford.
Scott Bartlett is global sports car marketing manager at Ford Racing
