24h Le Mans
Ford’s recent announcement of a return to the top class of endurance racing in 2027 has sparked memories of the titanic clashes with Ferrari in the mid-sixties, culminating in the epic showdown at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the 2025 Academy Awards ceremony approaching fast, what better time to watch once again James Mangold’s 2019 Oscar-winning movie that captured the spirit of the time.
Ford v Ferrari – released as Le Mans 66 in many countries – told the tale of the bitter rivalry between the two major carmakers at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The movie recounts the adventure of a team of audacious American engineers, led by the visionary Carroll Shelby, and talented British driver Ken Miles who were commissioned by Henry Ford II to design a racecar capable of overthrowing the all-conquering Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Director James Mangold was attracted by the double challenge presented by the project: shooting realistic race sequences that transport the viewer into the cockpits of the cars at the heart of the action, while telling the fascinating story of the tumultuous friendship that grew between Shelby and Miles.
The movie was nominated for four Oscars in 2020, including Best Motion Picture, winning two: Best Achievement in Film Editing and Best Achievement in Sound Editing. If you didn’t see it at your local cinema, check out your favourite streaming platforms and see what you missed!
Ford v Ferrari goes beyond the sporting rivalry to focus on the industrial battle involving the two manufacturers. In the 1960s, Henry Ford II challenged his employees to come up with a solution to ward off the Ford Motor Company’s financial ills. Lee Iacocca suggested motor racing as a means of boosting the business’s fortunes and proposed that Ford buy out Ferrari, who were going through similarly tough times. Talks were arranged in Italy but were scuppered by Enzo Ferrari’s insulting behaviour towards Ford. Finally, Ferrari was taken over by Fiat. Taking the affront personally, Henry Ford II vowed revenge..
Mangold skilfully achieved the feat of plunging the viewer into the heart of the action. When watching the breathtaking race scenes, you feel every acceleration, every step on the brake and every overtaking manoeuvre as if you were in the cockpit! A pure thrill for wannabe racing drivers!
However, Ford v Ferrari is not one of those action-packed sports movies where the actors are restricted to playing bit parts. Christian Bale (Ken Miles) and Matt Damon (Carroll Shelby) delivered memorable performances with Bale nominated for a Golden Globe for his role. Their alchemy and authenticity introduced strong emotional depth to the story of sporting prowess and endeavour. “Ford v Ferrari is not the life story of Carroll Shelby or Ken Miles. It’s more about a turning point in their lives that shaped who they were,” Mangold explained when the film was released.
The movie brilliantly recreates the paddock atmosphere of the 1960s, the buzz surrounding the race and the pressure that weighs on the drivers and engineers. A life-size replica of the grandstands adjacent to the start/finish line was built for the shoot at Agua Dulce Airpark, a private airport in Santa Clarita, California, along with three additional sections of grandstand, VIP lounges, the Ford and Ferrari pits and the international press room. The design was based on over 300 archive photos acquired from various sources including the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.
More than half a century later, the historic battle between Ford and Ferrari lives on in the LMGT3 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Nowadays, the Ferrari 296 LMGT3 fielded by the Vista AF Corse team takes on the Ford Mustang LMGT3 running in Proton Competition colours. Moreover, Ford recently announced plans to enter Hypercar, the premier class of endurance, from 2027. The American automotive giant will once again cross paths with the Prancing Horse whose 499P has won the last two editions of the French classic, plus an array of top-notch contenders including Toyota, Porsche, Aston Martin, Peugeot and Cadillac.
In the meantime, delve into the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and find out what really happened in 1966.
