Ford Chip Ganassi Racing: Introducing Marino Franchitti

Ford Chip Ganassi Racing announced the driver line-up for the two FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Ford GTs on Tuesday 6th January. The first driver to be announced for the WEC squad was endurance-specialist, Marino Franchitti.

Ford GT race programme

• Ford launches a four-car Ford GT race programme in January 2016

• All four will compete under the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing banner

• Two cars will race in the full IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and will be based in the United States and two will compete in the full FIA World Endurance Championship series and will be based in the United Kingdom

Introducing Marino

For Marino Franchitti being a racing driver is part of his DNA. The Scottish racer began his career behind the wheel at the age of eight and has gone on to win some of the biggest events in sportscar racing. 2016 will be Marino’s first year in the FIA World Endurance Championship but not his first time at Le Mans as he has raced there on five occasions.

Quotes

“It was love at first sight! The first time I drove it I didn’t want to get out of the car.”

“It’s a stunning car and incredibly it goes better than it looks, which is saying something. I have been counting down the days every time between tests until I could go back and drive this car.”

“The Ford GT has been built to run at the front of the GT class battles and anyone who knows that environment will know that’s a tough ask but this is a great car.”

“Watching Le Mans on TV when I was young was what made me want to be a racing driver. It’s the biggest race in the world and the one I want to win more than any other. As a student of the history of motorsport, it’s a dream come true to be a part of Ford’s return 50 years after they began a run of four incredible victories. Hopefully we can add our own chapter to this story.”

Ford Chip Ganassi Racing