The Ford GT Mk IV is officially the third fastest car ever to lap the Nürburgring

Ready to brighten up your day? Have a little watch of the video down below. That’s the Ford GT Mk IV setting the third fastest time ever at the Nürburgring in the hands of two-time N24 winner Frédéric Vervisch.

Looks like it’s on fast forward, doesn’t it? The Mk IV’s 6m 15.977s lap means it’s only behind the Porsche 919 Hybrid EVO and the Volkswagen ID.R in the all-time list. And because one of those is a hybrid and the other’s electric, the bonkers GT also takes the title for fastest pure combustion car ever around the ‘Ring. Fastest car from an American OEM, too.

“Driving the Ford GT Mk IV at the Nürburgring is an experience unlike any other,” said Vervisch after his lap on 1 April (and no, the time isn’t an April Fools). In fact, we’re told that the unseasonably cold weather meant that the Belgian driver was limited to a top speed of 193mph.

“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.”

Of course, the Mk IV is the end of the line for this third generation of Ford GT, with just 67 examples being built. It’s a track-only special with special Multimatic race suspension and the EcoBoost V6 turned up to produce over 800bhp. Check out that longtail body, too.

Spend just over six minutes watching the lap below, then head over to read our review by clicking these here words.