MOTORSPORT: Drivers needed for Ford GT

Ford and Ganassi Racing continue to make gains in preparation for the Ford GT's return to LeMans next June and will begin pre-LeMans testing in May. It will mark Ford’s 50th anniversary of the historic GT40 victory over Ferrari.

Before then in January, Ganassi will debut the GT in complete racing trim at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, which will be followed in April by its debut in the World Endurance Championship at Silverstone.

“It is a program that has so many tentacles worldwide,” said Chip Ganassi. “It is the entire focus of many, many people within the Ganassi organisation and within Ford in Dearborn.”

However, one important question is yet to be answered: who will drive for Ford in its historic return to LeMans? Ganassi admits to having a short list of drivers in mind, and ultimately the decision will be made by Ford and Ganassi.

Does that short list include Australian IndyCar star Ryan Briscoe? Ganassi would not comment, but he did admit that he’ll announce the complete driver line-up on November 20.

Others within Team Ganassi are more reassuring about Briscoe’s chances, the odds of which have shortened recently. “You only need to follow the rumours to know that two plus two equals ... well, you know.”

Rumours have surrounded Briscoe since he parted ways with Chevrolet and its Corvette C7-R program.

Ganassi did confirm that Scott Pruett, who has just been named as part of a Lexus RC F sports car squad based in the US, is not on the short list. “There seems to be some tension between Scott and Ford,” said Chip, who appeared disappointed by Pruett’s departure in June.

Pruett was a lot more chatty about his move from Ford to Lexus: “Ford has committed to the GT for 2016 and 2017 but after that they seemed unsure if the racing program would continue.

"Lexus understood that I wanted to drive the GT and were happy to let me drive for Ford at Daytona and throughout the next year. That impressed me a lot.”

He continued: “Lexus are very committed and very honest about their long-term focus on racing and they are developing a new car out of Japan. That honesty and the integrity of Lexus was reassuring and why I signed for Lexus.”