Ford Racing is maintaining its current GTD Pro program for the 2027 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, confirming its driver roster, team infrastructure, and Mustang GT3 machinery. This strategic continuity comes on the heels of a triumphant 2026 campaign where both factory teams achieved significant wins and positioned themselves as serious contenders for the championship.
The familiar faces of Dennis Olsen and Ben Barker will once again co-pilot the No. 64 Ford Mustang GT3, marking their second consecutive season as a pairing. Similarly, Frederic Vervisch and Christopher Mies are set to embark on their third straight season together in the No. 65 Ford Mustang GT3. This consistent lineup underscores Ford's confidence in its established talent and successful vehicle platform.
The stability in Ford's 2027 IMSA lineup is a direct consequence of their impressive performance in the 2026 season. Drivers Ben Barker and Dennis Olsen, though seasoned competitors, completed their first full IMSA season in 2026. Barker articulated the unique demands of American sports car racing compared to his prior experience in the FIA World Endurance Championship. He noted the constant engagement required by IMSA's safety car rules, which frequently bunch the field, emphasizing strategy and keeping drivers alert throughout the races. Barker expressed his enjoyment in re-learning various tracks and praised the cohesive, family-like atmosphere within Ford Racing and Multimatic, highlighting the shared successes between the two car entries.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season finale, the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Ford Racing stands firmly in contention for the championships. Vervisch and Mies currently hold fourth place in the GTD Pro Driver Championship, with Olsen and Barker closely following in fifth. Furthermore, Ford is in second place in the Manufacturer Championship, just 68 points shy of the lead. This strong standing provides a clear path for Ford to vie for the manufacturers' title in the decisive final race.
A significant factor contributing to Ford's enhanced performance in 2026 was the introduction of a major 'evo' update to the Mustang GT3. This upgrade package, implemented before the season began, focused on improving the car's aerodynamic efficiency, kinematic performance, and braking capabilities. The enhancements yielded immediate positive results, with Vervisch and Mies securing the car's first victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in May. Olsen and Barker followed suit with a win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September. The team also demonstrated its strength with a double podium finish at the Michelin GT Challenge at Virginia International Raceway, where the No. 64 car finished second and the No. 65 car took third place.
Alex Allmandinger, Ford Racing Sports Car Motorsports Program Manager, credited the evo package for the team's improved showing, stating, "The introduction of our evo package in 2026 brought race wins, podiums, and a genuine championship fight by Ford Racing and its Mustang GT3 program." He further emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum and driver lineup into 2027 to continue competing for all three titles. Allmandinger underlined that the Mustang GT3 has undergone continuous development since its 2024 debut, evolving into a formidable competitor on the grid. He expressed confidence that with elite drivers at the helm, this ongoing development will yield further success in the upcoming season.
The drivers themselves lauded the impact of the evo package. Frederic Vervisch acknowledged the update addressed a previous weakness in fast corners, expressing excitement about the significant improvements. He noted that despite a strong start to the year, the desired results were initially elusive, but the enhancements eventually paid off. Ben Barker also elaborated on the effectiveness of the evo package during a media call prior to the Indianapolis race, expressing optimism that the continuous development and refinement of the Mustang GT3 would bring continued good fortune to the team.
The consistency in Ford Racing's approach—retaining its successful driver pairings and continually enhancing its Mustang GT3—positions the team strongly for another competitive season in 2027, building on the significant achievements and progress made in the preceding year.
