Here Are The Drivers Who'll Be Endurance Racing The Ford GT In 2016

Two brits, one German and one Frenchman will get behind the wheel of the new Ford GT race car, as it competes in the 2016 WEC

Darren Cassey

05 Jan 2016

Here Are The Drivers Who'll Be Endurance Racing The Ford GT In 2016

Say hello to four of the luckiest men in motorsport. Ford is making its big return to endurance racing with the all-new GT, and now we know exactly who’ll be behind the wheel.

The two Brits are Andy Priaulx and Marino Franchitti, and they’re joined by German Stefan Mucke and Olivier Pla from France. The quartet will pair up to compete in two cars under the Chip Ganassi Racing team in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The intention is to run four cars at the Le Mans 24h race, on the 50th anniversary of the GT40’s historic 1-2-3 finish.

According to the team behind the car, this effort will be competitive from the first race. Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director, said “make no mistake, we are racing to win”, and confirmed that he believes the drivers have a car “absolutely” capable of running at the front.

The team will make its WEC debut at Silverstone on April 17, with the two British drivers no doubt hoping to get off to a positive start in front of a home crowd, while Mucke will make his debut in the car on 8-10 January at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Comments

Some lucky men.

Y No Randy Pobst

This is good stuff but I hoped to see at least 1 American driver

The French have nothing to do with the GT40. I think the GT40 was a British-American Project, I’m not sure though.

There’s a distinct lack of talent over on this side of the pond, in the opinions of Europeans. Europeans… They like Europe. It’s basically a continental divide. I’m sure it has something to do with FIA and stuff, too. But… Many people believe/know that the best drivers are from Europe. Loëb etc., seems many good drivers are from Europe. Latest American driver in WRC (at all) was Crazy Leo…

I knew this like 5 hours ago, jeez, just follow carthrottle on Snapchat. :D

Not one American driver?

NOT ONE AMERICAN? Come on Chip.

ECOBOOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, those four are only competing in the WEC (with the exception of Mucke doing the Daytona 24). There is another set of drivers who are competing in the WeatherTech championship; Joey Hand (USA) and Dirk Muller (GER) in one car and Richard Westbrook (GBR) and Ryan Briscoe (AUS) in the other. Also, Sebastien Bourdais will be in one of the cars at Daytona.