24h Le Mans
Scottish driver Marino Franchitti, 37 years old, is a part of the Ford adventure in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans. He talks about his connection with the marque and his desire to make history with the new Ford GT.
This year, Marino Franchitti will take the start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the sixth time. His first two experiences were at the wheel of GT2 class cars at the time. Will it be possible to call upon those two participations in preparation for 2016? "My past experiences led me in particular to traffic management, but the cars in the class have changed a lot since my last participation at the wheel of a GT (in 2009, with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2, editor's note). I can't really capitalize on those races since the modern GTs are much more evolved, namely in terms of aerodynamics."
The very first participation at the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 2005 at the wheel of a Panoz Esperante, seems like a long time ago. "Yes, it goes back awhile. It had a Ford engine! Even with 2009, I feel like things have really changed."
The Scot was among the first drivers confirmed by Ford for its program in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The relationship between Franchitti and Chip Ganassi, in charge of entering the cars, happened naturally. "I was with the team in 2014 at Daytona and Sebring, at that time with a DP. I knew something was on the horizon. Like many drivers, I think, I showed my interest and let it be known I could join this program. In the end, during the second half of last year, I was able to take the wheel first with Billy Johnson (entered in the No. 66, editor's note)."
For a Scottish driver, who has had such a great experience in the U.S., is it a point of pride to compete with such a motorsports legend? "Yes! Ford didn't just win at Le Mans in 1966, but won four victories in a row. So to tell me I can be a part of the next chapter of this adventure is exceptional. It's also a point of pride since Scottish drivers share an important history with Ford. I think of Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Colin McRae. To walk in their shoes is a little intimidating." Franchitti is a driver who is very familiar with motorsports history, particularly endurance. To be at the wheel of the No. 67 Ford GT is a great pleasure for him: "1967 was without a doubt my favourite year. A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney won that year and scored the only victory by a 100% Americain driver line-up with Ford. I love the look of this car, red with white stripes, a fantastic race."
Franchitti is aware of the pressure heading into the start of the season, and is already imagining Le Mans, with a crowd curious to check out the new Ford GTs. In the meantime, testing is ongoing, so the new cars will be at the top of their game in June.
Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Photo: Marino Franchitti is a key player in Ford's endurance project. He has been involved since the first laps in late 2015. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he will share the wheel with Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell, a driver line-up that will be closely watched.
