- Ford Performance and partner Multimatic Motorsports share first Mustang GT3 victory in Rolex 24 At Daytona.
- The No. 65 of Olsen, Mies and Vervisch battled to the top of the GTD Pro rankings to win its class in the 63rd running of classic endurance race
- No. 64 fights its way to a podium spot alongside Mustang GT3 teammates
- Ford captures its first 24 Hours of Daytona win since 2018, 20th since 1966.
Mustang GT3 triumphed in one of the most rigorous 24-hour endurance racing events in motorsports, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, to score its first global GT3 victory. The No. 65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3 of Dennis Olsen, Christopher Mies and Frédéric Vervisch earned the landmark victory after holding off a late race challenge in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD Pro class. Adding to the Dearborn, Michigan company’s accolades, the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3 also secured third place for the official factory team with drivers Seb Priaulx, Mike Rockenfeller and Austin Cndric at the road course of Daytona International Speedway.
“This is a team win for everyone at Ford Motor Company, for our partners and for fans of Mustang,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance. “Moments like this make the long hours, hard work and earlier disappointments worthwhile. Our first global win with the Mustang GT3 and our 20th for Ford in the 24 Hours of Daytona is a milestone. I am proud of this whole effort. Everyone gave their all.”
Ford has a rich history in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Mustang won its first 24-hour race here in 1967 and now has 10 total wins. Ford Motor Company has been victorious in Daytona’s 24-hour race 20 times since its inaugural win in 1966 with the MKII. The last event win came in 2018, when Ford GT earned a GTLM class victory.
The Mustang GT3 was quick to the top of the class charts, securing the front row of the grid for the event’s 63rd edition in qualifying. Rockenfeller, who returned to the team’s driving core for a second season, drove the No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3 to its second-ever pole position worldwide. Vervisch, who was promoted to a full-season seat from last year’s endurance racing role, qualified narrowly behind the sister car in the No. 65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3.
“This is an incredible result for everyone at Multimatic Motorsports and Ford Performance,” said. Pascal Zurlinden, Executive Vice President, Multimatic Engineering & MSVO. “Two years ago, when Ford announced the Mustang GT3 programme, the car didn’t exist. To be standing in Victory Lane today is proof that there is no substitute for hard work, whether that is at the race track, the race shop or during long days and nights in the simulator. It is an honour for us to take a car as iconic as Mustang and turn it into a Daytona winner. May we, and Ford’s customers, have many more victories ahead of us.”
Driver Quotes:
Christopher Mies, No. 65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 – “It’s unbelievable. One year ago we came here with a brand new car, finished the race with no real issues but obviously we were lacking pace. So some small things on the bodywork which sent us back and now coming back exactly one year later and winning the race. I can’t thank Ford and Multimatic enough. To my teammates, it’s just been incredible. I didn’t expect that. What a difference a year makes. It was definitely our strategy in the end. We gambled. My motto is life is a gamble. We have Bruno Couprie with us, the best strategist in the whole paddock and it paid off. It’s unreal and paid off!”
Frédéric Vervisch, No. 65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 – “I don’t believe it. Dennis did a mega job. That last hour at the end was completely nerve-racking. It’s unbelievable that we won it! It’s so hard to watch, a lot harder sitting on the bench, looking and watching and seeing everything touching and going off track! It’s better to be in the driving seat for sure!”
Dennis Olsen, No. 65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 – “I don’t think I can tell you guys. It’s going to be a long night. The people who know me, know I like to celebrate if we win something big and today’s a huge day. We didn’t really think we would have it at the end, but we really gave it our all and it paid off at the end. Honestly, I was just listening to the spotter and making sure I didn’t make any big mistakes. I knew it would be hard for him to drive around me. We were quick on the straights and Ford gave us great power. That helped us a lot. And the rear bumper held up so I’m really happy for that as well. Now it’s time to celebrate!”
Mike Rockenfeller, No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 – “Amazing result for Ford, Multimatic and the team. What a day. To win one of the biggest races in the world, in the second season of Mustang GT3, was one of our targets. Congratulations to the No. 65 team and their drivers. Of course, we would have loved to win the race, but we did our part to help them out. Now, we’ll try to compete for the series championship. It was a great team effort that we can all be proud of. It was a roller coaster of a race – super tight and anyone could have won. To finish first and third is pretty amazing.”
Sebastian Priaulx, No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 – “It was great to see Ford and Multimatic Motorsports get the win. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do that today. I think we did a great job, together as a team. We just didn’t quite have that last little bit, whether it’s the setup or something else. We gave it everything, and a podium performance is what we could have done.”
Austin Cindric, No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 – “It’s surely a special place whether I’m racing in NASCAR or in IMSA. To be a part of this program, see its success and be a part of the double podium was really cool. Also, learning this Mustang GT3 through the night and keeping ourselves in contention. It’s a dream of mine to win this race, and this is one step closer for me personally. It’s really cool to see such a big race be the first win for this car.”
Kevin Groot, global sports car program manager, Ford Performance – “Today, we may not have had the best car but you don’t always need it. We did this through reliability and great teamwork. I’m very proud of the team and drivers. We dug deep, and it was a very special win.”
