If our instincts are correct, Ford appears to be eyeing an official Nurburgring lap time with the 2018 GT.
Let’s take it from the start. This past weekend, a blue 2018 Ford GT was filmed running the circuit at full pace and on first impressions, there doesn’t appear to be anything special going on.
Road and Track, though, dug a little deeper and uncovered some interesting details.
This GT is running a UK license plate reading GT17 FOE. It is owned by the car manufacturer itself and has been used in various motorsport events, including a recent appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed when it ran up the famous hillclimb.
Is Ford doing what we think they’re doing?
Additionally, this video was filmed during an industry pool session when members of the public aren’t allowed to hit the circuit. Instead, the track becomes restricted to automakers and it is the time when the vast majority of flying laps are set.
The final piece to the puzzle is the large antenna sticking up from the supercar’s roof. While we cannot be certain, the antenna is probably attached to a telemetry system that’s measuring key vehicle data and, of course, could be used to record lap times.
If Ford is indeed looking to set a Nurburgring lap with the GT, it would come at a strange time. Ordinarily, automakers take prototypes to the infamous circuit and set times before a vehicle’s release in a bid to help promote it. The latest-generation GT was shown to the world more than two and a half years ago and sold out quickly, so it’s quite late to post a lap, isn’t it?
Whatever the reason for Ford’s Green Hell appearance, we’re intrigued and keen to learn more, so stay tuned.