Ford Multimatic Motorsports will have a radically different driver line-up for the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, with only Mike Rockenfeller held over from the 2024 full-season group. Ford factory drivers Christopher Mies and Frederic Vervisch will pilot the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3, while Multimatic driver Seb Priaulx, who scored two victories with AO Racing in GTD PRO in 2024, will join Rockenfeller in the No. 65.
“Race drivers are the key differentiator in the battle for success on the track,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports, in a blog post. “At Ford, our drivers are more than competitors; they’re family. This sense of camaraderie makes decisions about our roster challenging and deeply personal. After closing out our debut IMSA season with the Mustang GT3 a month ago, the Ford Multimatic Motorsports team is focused on the 2025 season. This week we will be running at the traditional Daytona Test ahead of the first big race of 2025 and introducing our driver line-up — a blend of experience, youth, and exceptional talent.”
Mies and Vervisch were the endurance additions for Ford Multimatic Motorsports in 2024. They replace Joey Hand and Dirk Muller.
“It’s been a dream of mine to be in IMSA full-time,” said Mies. “I got a taste of the Mustang GT3 in this series during the endurance races, and we had some good results. The dream is now a reality. I’m looking forward to competing alongside Fred [Vervisch], who I’ve known for a long time. We know the team and car, so I’m excited to compete in this championship.”
Vervisch added: “It’s a big honor to be racing on the factory program in the No. 65 Ford Mustang GT3. Ford and Multimatic Motorsports have given so much trust in me, which means a lot. I will do everything I can, alongside Christopher and the entire team, to deliver results.”
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Priaulx, who did half the season with AO Racing before being called away to fulfill his duties with Multimatic, takes the place of Harry Tincknell alongside Rockenfeller.
“Multimatic Motorsports has been my home since Larry [Holt] gave me a chance in the Mustang during the 2019 season, so it’s nice to be back where I started in GT racing,” explained Priaulx. “I have experience competing in this championship, and I think we’ll bring a strong package into this upcoming year.”
For the endurance races, Ford Multimatic Motorsports called upon its WEC drivers. Dennis Olsen will join Mies and Vervisch, while Ben Barker will race with Rockenfeller and Priaulx.
Rushbrook offered appreciation for the drivers who helped develop the Mustang GT3 and raced it in its debut season.
“Race teams are always evolving in order to drive success forward and this infusion of fresh talent will accelerate the performance of Mustang GT3,” he said. “With these driver line-up changes, I wanted to talk about this year’s drivers: Joey Hand, Dirk Muller, and Harry Tincknell. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Joey, Dirk, and Harry for their invaluable contribution to the Mustang GT3’s journey. Their unrivaled expertise has been essential to the development of the Mustang GT3 and the hours they put in, pounding around race tracks across the US laid the groundwork for this race program. Joey and Dirk will always be special to Ford as they won Le Mans for us in 2016, and while they may not be in our IMSA squad this season, you certainly haven’t seen the last of them. In fact, you’ll soon hear more about Dirk’s latest endeavors.”
The Mustang GT3 had some struggles in its first races as the team discovered some issues running with other cars that didn’t occur in testing. As the season progressed, the Mustang GT3 developed some pace and the No. 64 found the podium on a couple of occasions with Rockenfeller and Tincknell, possibly setting the tone for success in the car’s sophomore season.
“I’m in my second year now with Ford Multimatic Motorsports after a good first year of learning and developing the car,” said Rockenfeller. “A lot of work has been done by the team since, and we’re quickly into 2025. We’re excited and motivated going into the second season of this program with Mustang GT3, and we are hopeful that we can start on the right foot at Daytona.”
Ford Multimatic Motorsports is one of the teams participating in the IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway this weekend.