In a stunning display of engineering prowess and driving precision, the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD has obliterated the record for the fastest American production car lap at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The record-setting time of 6:57.685 not only cements the Mustang GTD’s place in motorsport history but also challenges the dominance of European supercars on their home turf.
The Road to the Ring
Three years from concept to record-breaking reality, the Ford Mustang GTD has transformed from a sketch at Ford’s headquarters to a record-holder on one of the most challenging tracks in the world. Under the guidance of Ford Performance and Multimatic, and with Dirk Müller at the wheel, this supercharged Mustang didn’t just beat the previous American record set by the Dodge Viper ACR in 2017—it shattered it. Ford’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what their iconic pony car can achieve was clear from the start. “We had to do it. There were no excuses — 7:01 was not going to cut it,” stated the Ford team after surpassing the seven-minute mark.
Strategic Development and Challenges
Despite being Ford’s first major foray into using the Nürburgring for development, the team faced the daunting challenge with a clear target and relentless determination. Their efforts were focused on creating a vehicle that could harness the raw power of a race car yet remain street-legal. “The thought was, if we are racing globally, we should be competitive in a streetcar globally,” Goodall noted, emphasizing the global appeal and competitive edge of the GTD.
Ford’s strategic testing in Europe, followed by rigorous trials on the Nürburgring itself, paid off, even as weather conditions and limited track time posed significant hurdles. Yet, the GTD impressively broke the seven-minute barrier on each of its three official timed laps.
Not Resting on Laurel
Despite their groundbreaking success, the Ford team is far from complacent. “The very first lap that we ran, we hit the target,” Goodall remarked, but quickly added, “The team is still hungry.” This sentiment is echoed by CEO Jim Farley, who reaffirmed Ford’s commitment to continuing the GTD’s development: “We know there’s much more time to find with Mustang GTD. We’ll be back.”
As the Mustang GTD prepares to defend its title against upcoming challengers like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the Ford team remains focused on not just defending their record but improving it. This drive, combined with a history of track success and a determination to innovate, signals exciting times ahead for Ford and its fans.
In setting a new standard for American performance cars, the Mustang GTD has not only rewritten records but also redefined what is possible for an American car on the global stage.
