Ford Mustang GT3 competes in FIA GT3 category in 2024
FIA GT3 category
Ford is officially entering the global FIA GT3 category with the new Mustang GT3, within which the brand plans to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, among others. Ford’s most recent victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was in 2016 with the Ford GT.
“We are proud to be racing the new Dark Horse-based Mustang GT3,” said Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company. “We are pleased to now share this long-standing project with the Mustang community, the racing community and all of our partners who have contributed to its realization. Ford and Le Mans are linked by history. Now we return to the most important race in the world. It marks for us the beginning of building a global motorsports business with Mustang, just as we are doing with Bronco and Raptor offroad.”
Fresh branding, new logo
Ford Performance is also using the launch of the Mustang GT3 to introduce new branding for the motorsports brand. The design applied to the GT3 can now be seen on all race cars from Ford’s stable.
With this new, expressive brand identity, Ford Performance aims to position itself as a distinctive lifestyle brand with a sporty mindset. Ford Performance’s new branding will be applied to race car livery, merchandising, apparel, displays, parts/accessories and communications, among others.
Ongoing relationships with two long-term partners
Ford Performance renewed its collaboration with its two trusted partners Multimatic and M-Sport for this project. Multimatic, the specialist that built the iconic Ford GT, was also involved in the Ford GT racing program and will support building and maintaining the Mustang GT3. M-Sport, Ford Performance’s longtime World Rally Championship partner is focused on assembling the special Coyote V8-based 5.4-liter engine that will power this powerful new pony.
Custom suspension
The Mustang GT3 features a model-specific suspension with short and long arms, a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, carbon fiber body panels and a unique, aerodynamic body designed to meet GT3 requirements.
Proton Competition first WEC customer team with Mustang GT3
Before Ford returns to Le Mans in 2024, several customer teams will compete with the new racer in various GT3 series around the world. The first customer team announced today is Proton Competition. Proton, based in Ehingen, Germany, plans to field several examples of the Mustang GT3 in the FIA World Endurance Championship starting in 2024.
“This is a very important program and an exciting moment for our organization,” said Christian Ried, team boss of Proton Competition. “The Mustang is a great icon and this is an important step for our team. We look forward to racing the Mustang GT3 starting in 2024.”
Ford Performance will also run a factory racing program with two Mustangs GT3 in the IMSA GTD Pro class. This program is run by Multimatic Motorsports and the first race the GT3 will participate in in 2024 is the Rolex 24 at Daytona.