Ford's racing ambition is equally matched by excitement and competition, especially as the company gears up for its 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. After closing out its debut year with the Mustang GT3, the Ford Multimatic Motorsports team has announced significant changes to its driver lineup, promising to blend experience with fresh talent.
The racing world is always buzzing with anticipation, and this year is no different for Ford. The exhilaration stems from the blend of veteran drivers and new faces, with the ultimate goal of bolstering performance on the racetrack. According to Mark Rushbrook, the global director for Ford Performance Motorsports, "Race drivers are the key differentiator in the battle for success on the track". He continues to highlight the familial bonds within the team, underscoring how personal and challenging roster decisions can be.
The Mustang GT3 had its challenges during the past season. Yet, as lessons unfolded through the races, the team began to hit its stride. Rockenfeller, joined by the promising Sebastian Priaulx—who already boasts two victories from the 2024 GTD PRO season—will take to the track steering the No. 65 Mustang. Meanwhile, the seasoned duo of Christopher Mies and Frédéric Vervisch will pilot the No. 64 Mustang, completing the new-driven lineup.
The new arrangements bring excitement not only for the drivers but also for fans eager to see how these changes will influence the upcoming season. Mies expressed his enthusiasm, sharing, "It’s been a dream of mine to be in IMSA full-time. I got a taste of the Mustang GT3 during the endurance races, and we had some good results. The dream is now a reality." His teammate Vervisch added, "It’s a big honor to be racing on the factory program. Ford and Multimatic Motorsports have trusted me, and I will do everything I can to deliver results."
Beyond just the driver changes, Ford acknowledges the importance of continuity alongside new energies. Rockenfeller, who remains from the previous lineup, shares his view on the season's potential: "I’m excited and motivated going forward with Mustang GT3. The team has worked hard since the last season, and we're ready for the challenges 2025 will bring."
The team also intends to utilize experienced hands during endurance races, calling upon its World Endurance Championship (WEC) drivers Ben Barker and Dennis Olsen to add their expertise. Barker will race with Rockenfeller and Priaulx, allowing for rich collaboration during these longer endurance events.
Meanwhile, the departure of Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, and Harry Tincknell—cards who contributed greatly to the Mustang's development—adds both sadness and the necessity of change. Although they won't be competing for Ford this year, Rushbrook ensured they were appreciated for their unmatched contributions throughout the GT3's growth, stating, "You certainly haven’t seen the last of them." 2016 Le Mans champions Hand and Müller will still share their experience even if they aren’t racing with the team this season.
All eyes are set to witness how these changes will sharpen the edge for Ford's IMSA team. The belief is palpable: with fresh talent, the Mustang GT3 will charge forward, fueled by lessons learned from its rocky start. Speed, determination, and camaraderie remain the mantra as the team heads to the Daytona test, ready to carve its mark on the upcoming races.
With 2025 so close, anticipation grows around the world of motorsport. The clarity and prowess exhibited by the new driver lineup have Ford and its fans eagerly awaiting what this fresh season will deliver. Performance builds on its foundation from the hard work laid down by the previous lineup, setting the stage for ambitious outcomes to come.
