Ford’s remarkable GT Mk IV has etched its name in history at the Circuit of The Americas, setting a new (unofficial) lap record during testing under the auspices of Multimatic Motorsports.
The GT conquered the 3.426-mile track in an astonishing 1:58.77 seconds. Ford Performance lauded this achievement as the fastest lap ever recorded by a GT car at the circuit, outpacing the production car record by 13 seconds, previously held by the Czinger 21C.
In comparison, an Aston Martin Vantage AMR LM GTE racer managed a lap time of 2:02.522 around the same track. Although unofficial, the outright lap record set during qualifying remains a benchmark, with Valtteri Bottas clocking an extraordinary 1:32.029 in his Mercedes-AMG F1 W10 racer during the 2019 qualifying session.
Notably, the GT Mk IV, while not intended for road use, is a customer-spec car rather than a full-fledged race car.
Navigating through the first corner with seamless acceleration, the Ford GT firmly hugs the track, gracefully negotiating corners 3 through 6 while grazing the rumble strips. Despite a fleeting loss of grip, the adept driver swiftly regains control, maintaining the GT Mk IV’s forward trajectory.
Situated in Austin, Texas, the Circuit of The Americas was meticulously designed as the first Formula 1-specific track in the United States. Drawing inspiration from renowned race tracks worldwide, architect Hermann Tilke incorporated elements from iconic corners and sequences into its layout.
The symphony orchestrated by the Ford’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine is unmistakable. Boasting 800 horsepower, the GT accelerates with remarkable zeal.
Yet, its prowess extends beyond straight-line speed, courtesy of its elongated wheelbase, Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve race suspension, racing transmission, and carbon fiber body, collectively contributing to its dynamic prowess on the track. However, this performance comes with a price tag of $1.7 million, with only 67 units slated for production.
While the prospect of another Ford GT release remains uncertain, the Blue Oval’s latest flagship racer, the Mustang GTD, priced at $300,000 and boasting 800 horsepower, is poised to fill the void.
Nevertheless, the GT Mk IV’s exceptional pace sets a new benchmark, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come as the Hennessy Venom F5 gears up for its lap record attempt at COTA in the near future.
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