Rockenfeller Optimistic of Mustang GT3 EVO’s Potential

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

Mike Rockenfeller said he’s optimistic of the Ford Mustang GT3 EVO’s potential although cautioned that it’s still “early days” with the package, particularly in adapting it to Michelin’s updated tire.

Both of the Multimatic Motorsports-run entries are sporting the full updates in this weekend’s IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway, which has seen the public debut of the EVO, which Ford Racing has yet to release details on.

While the Multimatic-built car features noticeable aerodynamic changes, it’s understood there have also been mechanical enhancements to the car, which will enter its third year of global GT3 competition in 2026.

“We’re still not in the final homologation yet and we’re still trying small things,” explained Rockenfeller. “You could see it, obviously, from the outside of what’s different, mainly.

“It’s still hard to tell [the pace]. Michelin changed a bit of the tire as well. This is the first time we’ve run it here and with the updated car.

“Daytona is a unique place. We were struggling quite a bit with the grip, in general, at the start of the day [on Saturday], and still figuring out stuff about ride heights and the behavior of the car.

“I say it feels a bit better. There’s potential. The braking felt more positive but it feels like we have a bit more drag.

“It’s small stuff but if you put it all together, hopefully it will make the car better [in areas] where we were weak before.

“Let’s see when the final version is there and we can really talk about it.”

Rockenfeller, who is sharing the No. 64 Mustang GT3 EVO with Dennis Olsen and Ben Barker this weekend, said the updates have been made to make the car more well-rounded at a variety of circuits around the world.

“Clearly if you look back and analyze the season, there have been tracks where we have been good and there have been tracks where we struggled quite a lot,” he said.

“We try to be within the group of the others. Some cars have been strong everywhere.

“We obviously are focusing on our product. I think they did a great job to make quite a step forward.

“But even after Daytona it will be hard to tell because it’s Daytona, and then you go to different places like Sebring, which is probably a better kind of reference because it has everything. It’s a bumpy track with high and low speeds.

“I think Sebring is going to hopefully be a track where we will be stronger than we have been.

“That was also the place where we struggled quite a bit, Laguna. [Seca] as well.”

After its sister No. 65 entry of Olsen, Christopher Mies and Fred Vervisch scored a breakthrough GTD Pro class win at in the Rolex 24 at Daytona this year, Rockenfeller said he’s hoping it could be his turn this time around, although admitted that a number of variables have to fall into place.

“I think the big goal is to win the championship,” he said. “That’s what we didn’t do; we won races but we didn’t win the championship.

“We were not far off with the 64. On my side, I’d definitely love to win Daytona because it was the sister car.

“But we know it’s going to be tough. It’s also a tough task for IMSA to do the BoP right for such a big race. They do a great job but for sure you see races where sometimes you are frustrated a bit and sometimes you’re on the upper end and sometimes not.

“I hope for them as much as for us, that this is an important test, to make sure that in the [Rolex 24] everybody has a chance to fight for the victory.”

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