Proton to Field LMP2 Entry With Ford, Venture Staff

Photo: Ford Racing

Ford Racing will get a jump start on its venture into prototype racing by operating an Oreca 07 Gibson in the upcoming European Le Mans Series.

Announced Thursday evening during Ford Racing’s ‘Season Launch’ event in Detroit, newly named Ford Hypercar drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Seb Priaulx spearheading a LMP2 class car under the Proton Competition banner.

The Christian Ried-led team, which fields Ford Mustang GT3 EVO LMGT3 entries in the FIA World Endurance Championship, will utilize its No. 9 Oreca, already confirmed in a record-breaking 47-car full season entry, for the effort, with FIA Silver-rated pilot Jonas Ried confirmed as the third driver, according to a social media post by the championship.

The ELMS program will be operated by Ford Racing and feature both Ford and Venture Engineering personnel, per a Ford WEC spokesperson.

UK-based Venture was announced last September to be working with Ford in providing “technical and operational support” to its in-house Hypercar program.

The ELMS program is similar to what Team Penske did with its partial season WEC LMP2 entry in 2022, ahead of its Hypercar/GTP effort following year, as well as Genesis’ ‘Trajectory Program’ with IDEC Sport last year that helped train its drivers and crew in the the ACO-run regional series ahead of the Korean manufacturer’s WEC debut this year.

“We are building a team, refining our processes, and earning our stripes in the real world,” said Ford Racing WEC Hypercar program manager Dan Sayers.

“We are taking the building blocks of this program and stress-testing them under the most demanding conditions on the planet.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John