WEC – Ben Barker (Mustang / Proton) : "Hopefully we can get some results straight away"

A Gulf Racing driver in the GTE Am class since 2016, the Briton has produced a host of top-class performances that have hitherto flown almost under the radar. But not under the radar of Multimatic and Ford, who have decided to make him one of their official drivers. This year, he will be competing in the WEC, in LMGT3, in the #77 Mustang entered by Proton Competition alongside Ryan Hardwick and Zacharie Robichon. A well-deserved promotion...

After eight years in the GTE Am class with Gulf Racing, you've been signed up by a major manufacturer. Is that a relief for you?

No, it's not a relief. My years at GR Racing were fantastic, and, I'm going to miss them tremendously. You know, Mike (Wainwright) put me on the pedestal. Been there for the last eight years, done Le Mans for the last eight years... We did what you might call our farewell tour at the Asian Le Mans Series. And the last race (Abu Dhabi) was actually really emotional. But you never know what's going to happen in the future whether I, you know, potentially race with them again. But they're all good friends, and they will be good friends for life.

But this opportunity to become an official driver is something you've been waiting for, isn't it?

Of course. I mean, I'm really excited about this opportunity. I'm very privileged to be driving for such a brand (Ford). Obviously it's something that I had to take seriously. I had to take this opportunity because you don't get factory drives come around very often. And I'm coming up 33, so I'm getting on in my racing career. And I got to sort of take that with two hands. So yeah, super excited to get going with the new project. Ford has such a rich history with Le Mans. I'm just so excited for the battle to see what's to come.

The Ford Mustang GT3, tell us a bit more about it...

My experience with the car is quite little. So I think there's going to be a lot of learning during the race weekends and the races. The car seems to be pretty well set up on it. The 24 Hours of Daytona was the first event for the car and it had some niggling issues. But you know, the overriding feeling was very positive, from the car and the drivers. They felt very comfortable with how the car was balanced and how how it was working.

What can you tell us about the new Goodyear LMGT3 tyres ?

So yeah, we we did a test of Monteblanco (Spain) with the new Goodyear tyres. That was the only test that I attended with that tyres. We haven't done a lot on it, so there's still some question marks, but it seems very good. But we still need to develop the car more around theses tyres.

Now it's time to go...

We're jumping at a bit to get started with it, to be honest. We're really excited to get started with WEC with the two Proton Competition cars. And we'll benefit of the involvement from Multimatic obviously and Ford Performance. So you know we've got quite a team and hopefully we can get some results straight away.

Who are you Ben Barker?

Born on 23 April 1991 in Cambridge

• 2010 Australian F3 Champion
• 2nd Porsche Carrera Cup GB 2012
• Winner Prosche Carrera Cup / 24 H. of Le Mans 2014
• Winner Bathurst 12 Hours (Class B) 2014, 2018 and 2020
• 52 WEC starts (2016-2023) with Gulf Racing in GTE Am: 7 podiums
• 8 starts (2016-2023) in the 24 Hours of Le Mans: 3rd GTE Am in 2023