Ford have every intention of making a successful return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, to the delight of their fans. In signing up a quartet of experienced drivers for the new Ford GT entered in the World Endurance Championship season, the marque is leaving nothing to chance. The squad boasts a honed set of skills, combining GT knowledge and mastery of the various circuits featuring in the WEC calendar – including Le Mans. Here’s a rundown:

Marino Franchitti is the younger brother of Dario Franchitti, who retired from motorsport in 2013 following an accident in IndyCar Series. Although Marino has so far enjoyed a less stellar career than his more notorious sibling, it is hoped that the Ford programme will provide an excellent opportunity to step up. He made his GT début in the 2001 British GT Championship before moving to Grand Am and the American Le Mans Series. He has raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on five occasions, firstly with a Panoz Esperante in 2005, and then with an Aston Martin entered by British team Drayson Racing. He returned in 2010 in LM P2, and was also involved in the DeltaWing adventure in 2012, the original 56th Garage entry that was immensely popular with the public. In 2014, he won the 12 Hours of Sebring in a Ford-powered DP entered by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates – the team with which he will be returning to Le Mans this year. Could this be a sign of future success?

Stefan Mücke has always been associated with Aston Martin. The German with the red cap has been racing with the British marque since 2008, in the GT1 World Championship, the World Endurance Championship and, naturally, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mücke has been an ever-present at the legendary French endurance race since 2007 and was rewarded by two podium finishes in 2012 and 2013 at the wheel of an Aston Martin Vantage GTE. Joining Ford means the end of Mücke’s partnership with Aston Martin factory driver Darren Turner. The pair had teamed up at every Le Mans since 2011. Will this new challenge give Mücke the impetus to reach the top step of the podium in June?

Olivier Pla is a former single-seater driver who competed in the F3 Euroseries and the GP2 Series. He discovered endurance racing in 2008 at the wheel of prototypes. He competed in the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours with Portuguese outfit Quifel ASM Team. Having become a leading light in the class, he was signed up by Nissan as a factory driver in 2015 for the GT-R LM Nismo programme. With this new GT programme, Pla has found a car to match his undoubted talent. Ford have acquired the services of a driver who is both quick and consistent as shown by his four victories in the 2014 WEC season at the wheel of G-Drive Racing’s Ligier Nissan.

Andy Priaulx built up his track record in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) by picking up three consecutive driver’s titles between 2005 and 2007. In 2010 and 2011, he switched to endurance with BMW. Although he raced year-round in North America, he also drove the eye-catching BMW M3 GT2 with a livery designed by Jeff Koons at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010. After a period driving in the DTM championship and racing in the United States, Priaulx will be making his big comeback to the Le Mans 24 Hours circuit this June.

Geoffroy Barre – Translated by David Goward

Photo: Ford have announced an impressive driver squad for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. They are pictured here at the official presentation at Ford Performance HQ, UK, on 5 January 2016.