Mustang at Le Mans: It’s Ford Versus Ferrari!

Ford Mustangs arrive at Le Mans 24 Hour With a Spring in Their Step

Race fans may have to wait for 2027 for the Blue Oval’s return to the front at the Le Mans 24 Hour, but that certainly will not prevent the next round of Ford Versus Ferrari at the French classic this coming weekend. Ford is primed for a top class Le Mans return to take on Ferrari and the rest in 2027, but the race is already very much on in the LMGT3 category.

If the previous round at Spa Francorchamps is anything to go by, its set to be a full Ford Versus Ferrari battle between the Proton Ford Mustang LMGT3s and their AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3 rivals. The Ferrari beat the Fords last time out, when the Mustangs came home a career best second and third at the Spa World Endurance round, so will it be a case of revenge at the 24 Hour this weekend?

The Ford Versus Ferrari story is a of course a classic epitomized by the movie of that name. It dramatizes the true story, when Henry Ford III was spawned by Enzo Ferrari while trying to buy the iconic Italian brand in the 1960s. So, Ford commissioned the GT40, which went on to beat Ferrari, and dominate Le Mans four years on the trot from 1966.

Epic Ford Versus Ferrari History

Ferrari did not win a Le Mans after 1965. Until 2023. Now Ford will return in ’27. Will history repeat? Whatever happens, that will have to wait. But for now, it really is a return to Ford Versus Ferrari in GT3LM,. Especially with both the Mustang and 296 seemingly on top of their games leading into this weekend’s epic race.

Ford has two Proton Competition-entered Mustang LMGT3s at Le Mans this weekend. The number 77 for Portuguese driver Bernardo Sousa and British duo Ben Tuck and Benjamin Barker, And The 88 Pony Car for Italians Stefano Gattuso and Giammarco Levorato and Dane Dennis Olsen.

Their traditional rivals are a fleet of no less than five of Ferrari 296 LMGT3s. An AF Corse trio for François Heriau, Simon Mann and Alessio Rovera, Thomas Flohr, Francesco Castellacci and Davide Rigon, and lady star Lilou Wadoux, Custodio Toledo and Riccardo Agostini. Add a Kessel car for Takeshi Kimura, Daniel Serra and Casper Stevenson and a Tempesta entry for Jonathan Hui, Christopher Froggatt and Edward Cheever.

History Repeats at Le Mans this Weekend

The Ferraris are by no means the Ford Mustangs’ only Le Mans rivals in 2025. There’s a significant entry of other GT cars to take care off too. They’re led by the driven by Ben Keating, Jonny Edgar and Daniel Juncadella Corvette that leads the 2025 championship. Over the Heriau Mann Rovera Ferrari and Lexus RC F LMGT3 men Arnold Robin, Jack Hawksworth and Finn Gehrsitz.

The grid also includes a gang of Porsche 911 GT3Rs including Iron Dames Célia Martin, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting. Add 2024 winner Richard Lietz and champion Klaus Bachler. BMW M4s like the 46 of Valentino Rossi, Kelvin van der Linde. And a pack of Aston Martin Vantage AMRs, McLaren 720S Evos and Mercedes-AMG LMGT3s too.

With practice and qualifying on Wednesday 11 June before Hyperpole starting 20h00 Central European Time Thursday 12 June. The race starts 16h00 CET Saturday 14 June. The Le Mans 24 Hour is televised live on demand in most countries. Live streaming also available on demand fiawec.tv and there’s always seamless live commentary at radiolemans.co.