Priaulx: Ford Making “Big Steps” With Mustang GT3

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Seb Priaulx believes that Ford Multimatic Motorsports is making “big steps” with the Ford Mustang GT3 although predicts a tough weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Multimatic-contracted driver, who joined the factory GTD Pro squad this year, returns to the site of his first career IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship victory last year, when the 24-year-old was part of AO Racing’s lineup.

While parting ways with the Gunnar Jeannette-led team mid-season last year, Priaulx has been reunited with Ford, which has been off to a strong start, highlighted by victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with the No. 65 entry of Christopher Mies, Fred Vervisch and Dennis Olsen.

Priaulx and co-driver Mike Rockenfeller currently sit fourth in the GTD Pro points standings, with the sister Mustang GT3 remaining in the lead of the points race following the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

“I’ve always loved Laguna; it’s a great place to be at one of the best tracks in America,” said Priaulx. “[I’ve] had good success there over the years, our first win last year, which was one to remember for sure.

“I think the Ford struggled there last year a bit, but we’re ambitious to be up there again this year and I think we have a good chance that the cars progressed very well.

“Obviously with a great start winning Daytona and pole for our car, which was great. We’re definitely getting there.

“It’s a new car and I feel like we’re making big steps, so I’m very ambitious and excited about what we can do, and we’ll take each step as it goes, but I’m excited to be back out there.”

While being out of action since the Sebring, with GTD Pro not having been part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Priaulx and the team completed a pre-event test at the Northern California circuit, which he says “went well.”

“Laguna Seca is very much a rear-engine track,” he admitted. “We proved that winning last year.

“I’m ambitious. Some tracks suit cars better than others and I think this Ford GT3 can do well. It’s just about getting everything right.

“I think this is one of our tougher tracks for sure. It doesn’t mean we can’t finish in the top five or six, but I think it’ll be a tough one to win, but I’m just open-minded and I see how race goes. It’s IMSA racing, you never know.”

Priaulx, a former race winner in the Ford Mustang GT4 in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competition, has praised Ford’s expanded ladder system that has, in part, allowed him to return to the Blue Oval this year.

“That’s the one great thing about Ford, they have a great [ladder system where] you work your way up from GT4 to GT3,” he said.

“They’re quite similar cars in a way and that’s the great thing. Obviously, there’s more downforce in the GT3 car, but the characteristics of the car would say are quite similar to a GT4 car; front-engine, very different to what I’ve been used to the last couple of years.

“I’m a quick learner and I could feel it. It’s a very well-balanced car, the Ford Mustang GT3.

“Every time I got out there, I feel better and better.

“I think that’s what Ford is great at doing. You have all these series which you can learn and it helps you out later on because the car’s not too much different to where I started off with GT4.”