BACKGROUND
Ford Chip Ganassi Racing announced the driver line-up for the two FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Ford GTs on Tuesday 6th January. The first driver to be announced for the WEC squad was endurance-specialist, Marino Franchitti.

FORD GT RACE PROGRAMME

• Ford launches a four-car Ford GT race programme in January 2016
• All four will compete under the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing banner
• Two cars will race in the full IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and will be based in the United States and two will compete in the full FIA World Endurance Championship series and will be based in the United Kingdom

INTRODUCING MARINO
For Marino Franchitti being a racing driver is part of his DNA. The Scottish racer began his career behind the wheel at the age of eight and has gone on to win some of the biggest events in sportscar racing.  2016 will be Marino’s first year in the FIA World Endurance Championship but not his first time at Le Mans as he has raced there on five occasions.

QUOTES
“It was love at first sight! The first time I drove it I didn’t want to get out of the car.”

“It’s a stunning car and incredibly it goes better than it looks, which is saying something. I have been counting down the days every time between tests until I could go back and drive this car.”

“The Ford GT has been built to run at the front of the GT class battles and anyone who knows that environment will know that’s a tough ask but this is a great car.”

“Watching Le Mans on TV when I was young was what made me want to be a racing driver. It’s the biggest race in the world and the one I want to win more than any other.  As a student of the history of motorsport, it’s a dream come true to be a part of Ford’s return 50 years after they began a run of four incredible victories. Hopefully we can add our own chapter to this story.”

DETAILS
Date of birth:                 7 July 1978
Place of birth:               West Lothian, Scotland
Nationality:                    British
Lives:                                Beaconsfield, England
Marital Status:             Married, 1 son
Languages:                    English

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2015

• Class winner at the Nürburgring (Nordschleife) Qualifying race and 24 Hour race – Glickenhaus Racing

2014

• Sebring 12 Hour winner – Overall winner, Chip Ganassi Racing-Ford
• Daytona 24 Hours – Sixth place overall, Chip Ganassi Racing-Ford

2013

• American Le Mans Series Champion with five race wins – LMP2, Level 5 Racing
• Sebring 12 Hour winner – LMP2, Level 5 Racing
• Winner of Petit Le Mans – LMP2, Level 5 Racing
• Le Mans 24 Hours – LMP2, Level 5 Racing

2012

• Race and Development driver for the Nissan DeltaWing which included Le Mans 24 hours
• Signed to be LMP1 Peugeot Factory driver in 2012 (program subsequently cancelled)
• Winner- Mid Ohio ALMS LMPC

2011

• Second place overall at Sebring 12 Hour - Honda LMP1

2010

• American Le Mans Series Champion – LMP2 (top class) with Patron Highcroft Racing
• Winner of Petit Le Mans – LMP2, Patron Highcroft Racing
• Le Mans 24 Hours in Highcroft Racing HPD LMP2
• Sebring 12 Hours Pole Position and second in class - Highcroft Racing HPD LMP2

2009

• Winner of Petit Le Mans – LMP2, Dyson Racing Lola-Mazda
• Runner-up in American Le Mans Series LMP2 class with three race wins – Dyson Racing
• Le Mans 24 Hours in Drayson Racing Aston Martin V8 Vantage

2008

• Winner at the Nürburgring Nordschleife – VLN overall winner, Hisaq Racing
• American Le Mans Series with Dyson Racing- Porsche RS Spyder LMP2
• Second place overall in Sebring 12 Hours

2007

• American Le Mans Series for Andretti Green Racing - Acura LMP2

2006

• Second place in GT2 class at Petit Le Mans - Ferrari 430
• FIA GT Championship in a Ferrari 430 – Third place at Spa 24 Hours, winner at Adria.

2005

• Le Mans 24 Hours in Panoz Esperante

2004

• Sebring 12 Hours - LMP675 Lola Nissan - Pole position

2003

• Le Mans 1000km - 4th in class in a Ferrari 360 GT

2002

• Grand-Am Championship - LMP 675 Lola-Nissan – Took part in four races, with one win and three further podiums

2001

• British GTO Champion in Porsche GT3 RS with eight race wins - Factory Porsche driver for Porsche Cars GB

2000

• British Formula Ford Championship