Driver Lineup Announced for Ford GT’s 2016 WEC Campaign
Ford GT Driver Lineup for 2016 WEC (from left to right): Pla, Mücke, Priaulx, and Franchitti
Ford Chip Ganassi Racing has at last revealed the lineup of drivers who will help guide the return of the Ford GT to endurance racing. Marino Franchitti, Stefan Mücke, Olivier Pla, and Andy Priaulx will all pilot Ford’s new racing machine in the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship.
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The plan for the Ford GT is to run two cars in FIA WEC and two in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the intention of all four cars participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in June. Ideally, Ford will be able to recreate its iconic 1-2-3 podium finish 50 years later.
“Make no mistake, we are racing to win,” said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director. “To compete at this level you need the best car, the best team and the best drivers, and we have selected Stefan, Olivier, Andy and Marino to drive the Ford GT to take on the best in the world.”
Ford Chip Ganassi Racing has put together quite a team if its intentions are to win: team principal George Howard-Chappell has won Le Mans on three separate occasions, Marino Franchitti won the 12 Hours of Sebring last year, and Priaulx is a three-time Touring Car Champion who has a Le Mans podium finish and wins at Nürburgring 24 Hours and the Sebring 12 Hours.
“A new project is always exciting but for me to be driving for Ford in the WEC is just on another level,” Priaulx said. “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the car and start the preparations for the season. Any motorsport fan will remember the iconic Ford GT40 cars of the past, and for me to be part of this program 50 years after Ford’s historic win at Le Mans is such a privilege.”
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