Ford GT Mk IV Sets Nürburgring Record for US Carmaker
For generations, the Nürburgring Nordschleife has served as the ultimate proving ground. This relentless 12.9-mile ribbon of asphalt, with its corners and elevation changes, has earned the affectionate nickname "Green Hell." Legends rise here, and drivers test every limit. At Ford Racing, we have always chased measurable performance so we can understand exactly what our vehicles can achieve. With the Ford GT Mk IV, we brought every element together and delivered a result that secures a place in the record books.
This moment feels especially fitting, a true "mic drop moment," as we celebrate the final car of this generation of the iconic Ford GT. Ten years have passed since the Ford GT debuted and claimed a class win at Le Mans. Sixty years have also passed since the legendary Ford GT40 began Ford’s storied relationship with the world’s most famous endurance race. We could not imagine a better way to honour that legacy than by pushing engineering and driver skill to the limit on another legendary circuit.
The Ford GT Mk IV now holds the record as the fastest American OEM around the Nürburgring. It also ranks as the third fastest car of any type ever to lap the Nordschleife. Its 6:15.977 lap means the GT Mk IV, a track-only vehicle in the prototype category, is the fastest car currently available to buy for a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. That time also makes the Ford GT Mk IV the fastest car powered exclusively by an internal combustion engine to lap the ‘Ring.
Ford will build only 67 examples of this extraordinary machine, marking the end of the third generation of the Ford GT. Each car reflects an uncompromising focus on performance. Ford engineered the twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost® engine to produce more than 800 horsepower. Multimatic supplies the Adaptive Spool Valve race suspension. The car also uses a longer wheelbase, a bespoke racing gearbox, and a carbon-fibre long-tail body shaped for maximum downforce and relentless speed. Together, those elements produced a blistering, record-breaking 6:15.977 lap at the Nürburgring.
Ford Racing chose a driver with exceptional ability and deep knowledge of the Nürburgring to unlock that performance. Frédéric Vervisch brought exactly that experience. He has won the gruelling Nürburgring 24 Hours twice, in 2019 and 2022. He also became one of the first winners in the new Mustang GT3 at the 2025 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, proving his range 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."
As Frédéric Vervisch put it, “The car is an absolute weapon, a true extension of your will.” Ford Racing, Multimatic and Michelin all played vital roles in this Nürburgring effort. The result also highlights the breadth of performance vehicles in the Ford Racing stable. Ford has taken everything from purpose-built electric demonstrators to track-focused production cars to this iconic circuit. Each programme has pushed technology forward and reinforced Ford’s commitment to innovation. The lessons from these extreme challenges help Ford build better road cars for customers around the world.
This Nürburgring record means the Ford GT Mk IV has gone faster around the Nordschleife than the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, which also competes in the prototype category. That result makes Ford the fastest American OEM around the ‘Ring. It also confirms that the Ford GT Mk IV now stands as the third fastest vehicle of any kind to lap the ‘Ring, including race cars and prototype electric vehicles.
This achievement means more than a lap time. It reflects Ford Racing’s commitment to racing, innovation and thrilling performance. Ford Racing exists to push boundaries, learn faster and keep evolving. The Ford GT Mk IV Nürburgring record sends a clear message about Ford’s ambition and offers an exciting glimpse of the future of performance. Ford races to win, races to learn and races to bring that spirit to everyone who loves Ford.
