In a dramatic and strategic performance during the Monterey SportsCar Championship, factory drivers Frédéric Vervisch and Christopher Mies guided the Ford Mustang GT3 to a breakthrough win that could mark a turning point for Ford Performance’s global GT3 program.
The victory represented more than just another IMSA trophy. It was a statement that the Mustang GT3 program has officially arrived as a serious contender in international endurance racing. After months of development, setbacks, and Balance of Performance challenges since the car’s competitive debut in 2024, Ford’s GT3 machine finally converted its raw pace into a headline victory on one of North America’s most demanding road courses.
Strategic Brilliance Delivers Ford’s Historic Win
The race unfolded as a tactical battle from the outset. Starting near the front after a strong qualifying effort, the No. 65 Mustang GT3 stayed within striking distance throughout the opening stages while rivals from Porsche, Corvette, and Lexus fought intensely for track position.
Vervisch handled the opening stint with composure, carefully managing tire degradation around Laguna Seca’s notoriously abrasive surface while maintaining enough pace to stay firmly in contention. The Mustang GT3 showed improved balance and consistency through the fast sweepers and elevation changes, an area where Ford historically struggled at Laguna Seca.
The decisive moment came during the middle phase of the 2-hour and 40-minute contest. Ford Multimatic Motorsports executed an aggressive fuel and pit strategy, electing to stretch its stint longer than key rivals. When a full-course caution emerged at the perfect moment, the No. 65 Mustang gained critical track position during the pit cycle.
Once Mies climbed aboard for the final hour, the race transformed into a tense sprint to the finish.
Mustang GT3 Holds Off “Rexy” Porsche Charge
With less than 20 minutes remaining, Mies seized the lead and immediately came under relentless pressure from the fan-favorite No. 77 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R, famously nicknamed “Rexy.” The Porsche appeared particularly strong through Laguna Seca’s technical corners, but the Mustang GT3’s V8-powered acceleration became a decisive weapon on corner exits and uphill sections toward the legendary Corkscrew.
Mies expertly defended the position without overdriving the car, using the Mustang’s torque advantage to maintain enough separation on every straightaway. The closing laps showcased the maturity of Ford’s GT3 platform, as the car remained composed despite heavy tire wear and sustained pressure from behind.
When the checkered flag finally waved, the victory delivered an emotional breakthrough for Ford Racing and Multimatic after an extensive development process.
Evo Package Proves Its Worth
One of the biggest storylines surrounding the win was the success of Ford’s newly introduced Evo package for the Mustang GT3. The updated package, made available to customer teams globally at the start of 2026, includes revised aerodynamics, suspension kinematics, and braking refinements designed to improve drivability and long-run consistency.
According to Ford Racing Global Sports Car Manager Alex Allmandinger, Laguna Seca served as the perfect proving ground for the upgraded package.
The result was particularly significant because Laguna Seca’s technical layout exposes weaknesses in chassis balance, braking stability, and tire management. Ford’s ability to perform at the front throughout the weekend suggested the Evo package may have solved several of the issues that hindered the program during its early races.
Fourth IMSA Victory and 16th Global GT3 Win
Although this marked the Mustang GT3’s first victory at Laguna Seca, it also represented another milestone in the car’s rapidly expanding résumé. Since its launch in 2024, the Mustang GT3 has now accumulated four IMSA victories and 16 wins globally across multiple championships.
The No. 64 sister car, piloted by Dennis Olsen and Ben Barker, also contributed a solid performance by climbing three positions to finish sixth in class.
Ford now sits fourth in the GTD Pro championship standings heading into its homecoming event, the Detroit Sports Car Classic later this month. Momentum appears to be building at exactly the right time for the Blue Oval.
Momentum Builds Toward Le Mans
Perhaps most importantly, the Laguna Seca triumph arrives just weeks before the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford’s GT3 effort has faced enormous scrutiny since its debut, with critics questioning whether the Mustang platform could consistently compete against established GT3 powerhouses like Porsche, Ferrari, and Corvette.
This victory changes the narrative considerably.
The Mustang GT3 not only demonstrated outright pace but also displayed strategic flexibility, tire longevity, and race-winning reliability under pressure. For a relatively new GT3 platform, those qualities are essential heading into the grueling 24-hour battle at Le Mans.
For Ford Performance, the breakthrough at Laguna Seca was more than a single race victory. It was validation that the Mustang GT3 project is evolving into a legitimate world-class endurance racing contender — and perhaps a warning shot to the rest of the GT3 field that Ford’s latest racing pony has finally found its stride.
Source: Ford Racing
