If you thought the golden era of internal combustion track monsters was coming to a quiet end, Ford would like a word. The Blue Oval just proved a point on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, showing us that raw, gas-powered hypercars still have plenty of fight left in them.
To celebrate a decade since the modern Ford GT program kicked off and 60 years since the original GT40 changed endurance racing forever, the automaker unleashed its ultimate track-only weapon in Germany. The result was an official lap time of 6:15.977, completely resetting what’s expected of American performance.
Dethroning the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
That staggering 6:15.977 lap is much more than just a number on a leaderboard. By crossing the line that quickly, the Ford GT Mk IV successfully snatched the title of fastest American OEM vehicle right out of the hands of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X.
On a global scale, the achievement is even more impressive. Ford’s flagship is now the third-fastest vehicle of any kind to ever lap the Green Hell, a list that includes wildly advanced electric prototypes. More importantly for traditional gearheads, this run crowns the GT Mk IV as the single fastest vehicle powered solely by an internal combustion engine to ever conquer the track.
Ford is only piecing together 67 of these bespoke machines to celebrate the end of the third-generation GT’s lifespan. Because it isn’t burdened by the heavy safety regulations and emissions standards required for street-legal cars, the Mk IV is essentially a prototype racer built for private owners.
Underneath the carbon fiber long tail bodywork, which stretches the wheelbase and drastically increases high-speed aerodynamic grip, sits a heavily modified twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 throwing down over 800 horsepower. That brute force is sent through a dedicated racing gearbox, while Multimatic’s legendary Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) suspension keeps the massive tires glued to the uneven German tarmac.
Who Sat Behind the Wheel?
To hustle a car with that much power around a terrifying 12.9-mile circuit requires a very specific skillset. Ford tossed the keys to Frédéric Vervisch, a seasoned factory driver with an incredible endurance resume. Not only did Vervisch win the grueling Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2019 and 2022, but he also recently piloted the all-new Mustang GT3 to a class victory at the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Following the historic run, Vervisch described the Mk IV as a highly predictable, confidence-inspiring weapon. Despite the terrifying speeds achieved through treacherous sectors like the Flugplatz, he noted that the chassis reacted exactly as intended, allowing him to push the limits of physics without losing control.
“Driving the Ford GT Mk IV at the Nürburgring is an experience unlike any other,” Frédéric said via the press release. “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.”
Ford’s Nürburgring Takeover
The GT Mk IV is the current king of the hill, but Ford has been treating the Nordschleife like its own personal playground lately. To put this incredible 6:15 run into perspective, here is a look at the jaw-dropping times the rest of Ford’s extreme stable has laid down recently:
- Ford GT Mk IV: 6:15.977 (driven by Frédéric Vervisch)
- Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck: 6:43.482 (driven by Romain Dumas)
- Ford Transit SuperVan 4.2: 6:48.393 (driven by Romain Dumas)
- Ford Mustang GTD: 6:52.072 (driven by Dirk Müller)
If there was any doubt left about Ford’s dedication to hardcore track performance, this latest record should permanently put it to rest.
