Ford Chip Ganassi Racing has confirmed more of its Ford GT drivers, with no surprises but plenty of big names formal and finalized for its FIA World Endurance Championship and Rolex 24 at Daytona efforts.
The full-season FIA WEC lineup is set with Andy Priaulx, Stefan Muecke, Olivier Pla and Marino Franchitti to be split two apiece in the two Ford GTs this season in GTE-Pro.
All had been hinted at some point throughout the process. Priaulx’s formal departure from BMW followed rumors he’d be headed to Ford. Both he and Muecke were identified on the Roar Before the Rolex 24 entry list in separate cars; Priaulx in the No. 01 Riley-Ford and Muecke in the No. 67 Ford GT.
Meanwhile Pla and Franchitti were part of the winter testing program after the car first hit the track, and both appeared in a “we’re here, but we’re not really here” mode at Daytona before Ford had publicly confirmed any of its IMSA or FIA WEC drivers.
All told, the four drivers will be massive additions to the program.
Muecke and Sebastien Bourdais, meanwhile, have also been formally confirmed for the Rolex 24 at Daytona as third drivers in the No. 67 and 66 Ford GTs.
Proud to drive for @FordPerformance in the 2016 @FIAWEC Championship with the new #FordGT!!! #FordWEC #letsgoracing pic.twitter.com/xwzWJCMfLw
— Olivier Pla (@olivierpla) January 5, 2016
#LetsGoRacing! Happy to be part of @FordPerformance for the @FIAWEC ! A great new step in my career. #FORDWec pic.twitter.com/RNOZYdbmm8
— Andy Priaulx MBE (@andypriaulx) January 5, 2016
So happy & honoured to be part of @FordPerformance @CGRTeams attack on the @FIAWEC championship with these boys! pic.twitter.com/Te3woIDmBk
— Marino Franchitti (@MFranchitti) January 5, 2016