Ford will probably be represented throughout the DTM for the first time in over three a very long time, with the American marque inking a model new partnership with long-time Mercedes purchaser HRT for 2025.
The outfit run by businessman and gentleman driver Hubert Haupt will self-discipline a pair of Ford Mustang GT3s throughout the DTM subsequent yr, run beneath the Ford Effectivity HRT banner.
Will in all probability be a part of an even bigger collaboration between Ford and HRT that may see the German squad enter the GT3 mannequin of the favored muscle automotive in several European championships, along with the NLS, GT Masters and GT World Downside Europe.
The tie-up with HRT marks the following stage throughout the enlargement of the Mustang GT3 programme after Ford launched the automotive in restricted functionality at first of 2024.
Together with Multimatic, which co-developed the Mustang GT3, Ford entered the automotive on a factory-basis throughout the GTD Skilled class of IMSA SportsCar Championship this yr, whereas Proton secured additional purchaser entries throughout the pro-am GTD class and its LMGT3 equal throughout the World Endurance Championship.
Proton moreover entered the GTWCE Endurance Cup with an all-Skilled entry after plans for Dinamic Motorsport to alter from Porsche fell by way of.
“Having a workforce like HRT be part of the Ford Effectivity worldwide family is a giant second for us,” talked about Mark Rushbrook, worldwide director, Ford Effectivity Motorsports.
“Haupt Racing Workforce’s confirmed success in DTM and completely different race sequence is a sturdy endorsement of the Mustang GT3, and we’re thrilled to see them sort out the legendary ADAC RAVENOL Nurburgring 24 Hours along with many of the completely different iconic circuits of Europe.
Haupt Racing Workforce Ford Mustang GT3
Image by: Ford Effectivity
“This moreover implies that along with our companions at Multimatic and Proton Rivals, the Ford Mustang GT3 will now be competing at a whole lot of the enduring, 24-hour races at circuits corresponding to Le Mans, Daytona and Spa.
“This collaboration strengthens our worldwide place in GT3 racing and opens up new sequence and audiences for us all around the world as we proceed to develop the Mustang racing program in 2025.”
HRT had been a critical purchaser of Mercedes as a result of it was common in 2020, nevertheless its contract with the German producer was on account of expire on the end of the yr.
Inside the 5 years it has spent racing the Mercedes-AMG GT3, HRT gained the DTM title at its first strive with Maximilian Gotz when the championship switched to GT3 tips for 2021, plus the Silver Cup title throughout the Sprint leg of GTWCE with Jordan Love in 2023.
HRT managing director Ulrich Fritz talked about: “HRT has repeatedly developed and improved over the previous couple of years.
“We have constructed up a extreme diploma of expertise throughout the use and enchancment of race autos. We’re attributable to this truth very smitten by this new mission.
“The reality that Ford has chosen HRT as its spearhead in Europe is an excellent honour. Ford is an precise power mannequin with a perfect motorsport customized and extreme motivation.
“The Ford Mustang GT3 is a latest-generation race automotive that we’ll even have the power to take to the following diploma collectively.
“We’ll probably be successfully prepared for the upcoming season and are very lots wanting forward to working with Ford.”
Ludwig, pictured in Vacationer Trophy movement in 1988, gained that yr’s DTM title in a Sierra RS 500
Image by: LAT Photographic
Ford has a historic previous of competing throughout the distinctive iteration of the DTM. A earlier mannequin of the Mustang GT had a cult following throughout the sequence, with Gerd Ruch ultimate racing the automotive in 1994.
Moreover, Le Mans 24 Hours legend Klaus Ludwig clinched his first DTM title whereas driving a Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth in 1988, the one championship success for Ford throughout the sequence up to now.
Ludwig went on to realize two further titles with Mercedes in 1992 and 1994.
Haupt Racing Workforce Ford Mustang GT3
Image by: Ford Effectivity
