Ford unveils the Mustang GT3 which will run at the 24 2024 Hours of Le Mans

Spectacular announcements follow one another ahead of the Centenary of 24 Hours of Le Mans. After Alpine and its Hypercar, it is another major brand which announces its intention to return to Sarthe, but in the GT3 category which replaces the GTE.

It is Ford, which will enter the Mustang GT3, based on the all-new Mustang Dark Horse 2024. The new weapon from Dearborn (United States) was unveiled to the racing world this Friday, June 9 during the celebration of Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The vehicle sports a new, assertive and colorful look by Troy Lee, considered one of the best designers in the world in the field of motorsport. Ford's last victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans dates back to 2016 with the Ford GT.

« Ford and Le Mans are linked by history. And now we return to the most spectacular and important race in the world, said Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company.

It's no longer Ford against Ferrari. It's Ford against absolutely all competitors. The return to Le Mans marks the beginning of creating a global motorsport strategy with the Mustang, just as we do with the Bronco and Raptor off-road. »

Clearly, there's no stopping Ford, which made it official earlier this year an engine partnership with Red Bull Powertrains en Formula 1 on the horizon 2026.

New brand, new logo, and historic partners

To accompany this launch, Ford is also unveiling the new Ford Performance logo – a cleaner and more simplified look which will now be featured on all of its racing vehicles.

Ford Performance has also consolidated its relationships with two long-standing partners, Multimatic and M-Sport, as part of this project.

Multimatic, manufacturer of the iconic Ford GT, has also been involved in the Ford GT racing program and will help build and support the Mustang GT3s, while M-Sport, a long-term partner of the championship of the world of rally and two-time champion team, will assemble the 8-liter Coyote V5,4 engines developed by Ford Performance that power this new GT3.

« For a project like the Mustang GT3, we turned to two of our most recognized partners in the world of motorsport to help us create this vehicle and this program, said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports. I know we will all be as excited as Ford fans when the Mustang begins racing at the highest levels of GT racing in 2024. »

The Mustang GT3 features specific suspension, a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, carbon fiber body panels, and a unique aerodynamic package developed to achieve GT3 class goals. .

Proton Competition, first WEC customer team for the Mustang GT3

Before heading to Le Mans in 2024, the Mustang GT3 will compete in various GT3 series around the world in the hands of customer teams.

The first team announced today is Proton Competition. Headquartered in Ehingen, Germany, Proton intends to run two Mustang GT3s in the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship, starting in 2024*.

« This is a very important program and an exciting time for our organization, said Christian Ried, Proton Competition Team Director. Mustang is a great brand and this is an important milestone for our team. We look forward to partnering with Ford starting in 2024 ».

Ford Performance will also run a two-car racing program with the Mustang GT3 in the GTD Pro class of theIMSA. This program will be managed by Multimatic Motorsports and will begin during the 24 2024 Hours Daytona.

*Subject to the decision of the CME selection committee

In pictures – Ford Mustang GT3