Ford Multimatic Motorsports may have a radically completely different driver lineup for the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, with solely Mike Rockenfeller held over from the 2024 full-season lineup. Ford manufacturing unit drivers Christopher Mies and Frederic Vervisch will pilot the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3, whereas Multimatic driver Seb Priaulx, who scored two victories with AO Racing in GTD PRO in 2024, will be part of Rockenfeller within the No. 65.
“Race drivers are the important thing differentiator within the battle for achievement on the monitor,” stated Mark Rushbrook, international director, Ford Efficiency Motorsports, in a weblog put up. “At Ford, our drivers are greater than opponents; they’re household. This sense of camaraderie makes choices about our roster difficult and deeply private. After closing out our debut IMSA season with the Mustang GT3 a month in the past, the Ford Multimatic Motorsports group is concentrated on the 2025 season. This week we shall be working on the conventional Daytona Check forward of the primary massive race of 2025 and introducing our driver lineup — a mix of expertise, youth, and distinctive expertise.”
Mies and Vervisch had been the endurance additions for Ford Multimatic Motorsports in 2024. They exchange Joey Hand and Dirk Muller.
“It’s been a dream of mine to be in IMSA full-time,” stated Mies. “I acquired a style of the Mustang GT3 on this sequence through the endurance races, and we had some good outcomes. The dream is now a actuality. I’m trying ahead to competing alongside Fred [Vervisch], who I’ve identified for a very long time. We all know the group and automotive, so I’m excited to compete on this championship.”
Vervisch added: “It’s an enormous honor to be racing on the manufacturing unit program within the No. 65 Ford Mustang GT3. Ford and Multimatic Motorsports have given a lot belief in me, which suggests quite a bit. I’ll do all the things I can, alongside Christopher and the complete group, to ship outcomes.”
Priaulx, who did half the season with AO Racing earlier than being referred to as away to meet his duties with Multimatic, takes the place of Harry Tincknell alongside Rockenfeller.
“Multimatic Motorsports has been my house since Larry [Holt] gave me an opportunity within the Mustang through the 2019 season, so it’s good to be again the place I began in GT racing,” defined Priaulx. “I’ve expertise competing on this championship, and I believe we’ll deliver a powerful package deal into this upcoming yr.”
For the endurance races, Ford Multimatic Motorsports referred to as upon its WEC drivers. Dennis Olsen will be part of Mies and Vervisch, whereas Ben Barker will race with Rockenfeller and Priaulx.
Rushbrook famous the massive change to the motive force lineup whereas providing appreciation for the drivers who helped develop the Mustang GT3 and raced it in its debut season.
“Race groups are at all times evolving in an effort to drive success ahead and this infusion of contemporary expertise will speed up the efficiency of Mustang GT3,” stated Rushbrook. “With these driver lineup adjustments, I wished to speak about this yr’s drivers: Joey Hand, Dirk Muller, and Harry Tincknell. I wish to lengthen my deepest gratitude to Joey, Dirk, and Harry for his or her invaluable contribution to the Mustang GT3’s journey. Their unmatched experience has been important to the event of the Mustang GT3 and the hours they put in, pounding round race tracks throughout the US laid the groundwork for this race program. Joey and Dirk will at all times be particular to Ford as they received Le Mans for us in 2016, and whereas they might not be in our IMSA squad this season, you actually haven’t seen the final of them. In reality, you’ll quickly hear extra about Dirk’s newest endeavors.”
The Mustang GT3 had some struggles in its first races because the group found some points working with different automobiles that didn’t happen in testing. Because the season progressed, the Mustang GT3 developed some tempo and the No. 64 discovered the rostrum on a few events with Rockenfeller and Tincknell, presumably setting the tone for achievement within the automotive’s sophomore season.
“I’m in my second yr now with Ford Multimatic Motorsports after a superb first yr of studying and creating the automotive,” stated Rockenfeller. “A variety of work has been achieved by the group since, and we’re shortly into 2025. We’re excited and motivated going into the second season of this program with Mustang GT3, and we’re hopeful that we will begin on the suitable foot at Daytona.”
Ford Multimatic Motorsports is among the groups taking part within the IMSA-sanctioned check at Daytona Worldwide Speedway this weekend.
