Franchitti: “I thought it would be big, but I didn’t realise it would be this big!”
Ahead of their first appearance in the FIA World Endurance Championship in the Silverstone 6 Hours, the new Ford GT has been the focus of huge interest from media and fans alike, to a degree that has even surprised figures within the team.
As a key member of the test and development team since the project was first announced, Marino Franchitti has played an important role in Ford’s racing comeback, but admits that has been blown away by the warmth of their reception, fifty years after the marque’s historic podium sweep at the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours.
“I thought it would be big, but I didn’t realise it would be this big!” said the Scotsman, who will share the no. 67 machine with Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell. “Ford have the biggest selling car in the UK with the Fiesta, so you’ve got this massive fanbase anyway and they’re so excited about Ford being back racing here in the WEC.
“I’ve been lucky enough to race with Ford and Chip Ganassi Racing before and have some success over in America, but this is an entirely different level having a Ford GT instead of an engine in the back of a prototype. It’s a very special thing and as someone who loves the history of our sport it’s massively exciting to be a part of this new chapter of Ford’s racing history.”
Testing is one thing, but the competitive atmosphere at a race weekend is something altogether different, so Franchitti was relieved to get his first laps of the season under his belt in Friday’s first practice session, even though mixed conditions made it difficult to draw many conclusions.
“Conditions were changeable, still a little bit damp throughout the whole session so it was difficult to get a good read on it, but it was nice to get started and be out there working as a full unit,” he said.
“You can definitely feel a ramp up of intensity in traffic and everything else, so it was nice to get a feel for that and to be back at Silverstone as well. The last thing I drove here was a Lola T70, so there’s a fair amount more performance!”
Qualifying will take place at 11:50 on Saturday, but Franchitti has eyes only for one thing – the race – and is confident that the Ford can be competitive from the off.
“I’m so impressed by the job all the guys have done to have everything operationally so tight already, George Howard-Chappell has put an incredible team together and it really shows,” Franchitti added. “There’s a lot of pride in seeing it all come together and knowing you’ve been a part of it from an empty workshop to now.
“I’ve got two incredible team-mates in our car and three great guys in the other one, so I’m very confident in all the elements that Ford has and can’t wait to go racing on Sunday!”
James Newbold
