Gradient Racing has acquired a Ford Mustang GT3 with the intent of campaigning one of the latest GT3 cars in GTD in 2025.

Currently fielding an Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 for Sheena Monk and Stevan McAleer, the team says the transition marks a significant step forward for the team as they expand their relationship with Ford Performance and solidifies the team’s long-term commitment to the IMSA GTD class.

“We are incredibly excited to join the Ford Performance family with the new Mustang GT3 for the 2025 season and beyond,” said Gradient Racing team owner Andris Laivins. “Our good friends at Multimatic have done an incredible job with this car. It represents the pinnacle of GT3 engineering, and we can’t wait to put some serious miles on it and learn more. The factory team has done a massive job developing the new platform, and as a customer program we will benefit a lot from their experience.”

Gradient will become the second team to race the Mustang GT3 in GTD. Proton Competition is running the car with Gianmarco Levorato and Corey Lewis handling the primary driving duties this season.

“We are pleased to welcome Gradient Racing to the Ford Performance family, as they prepare their newly acquired Ford Mustang GT3 for an upcoming IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program in 2025,” declared Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsport. “We are excited to support them in this new chapter of their IMSA program. It is our continued mission to offer the beating heart of Mustang to customer teams worldwide – from Mustang Dark Horse R and Mustang GT4, to our ultimate expression of Mustang in our sports car racing line-up, Mustang GT3.”

Ahead of the 2025 racing season, Gradient Racing will embark on a testing plan through the summer and fall as they come to terms with the new Mustang. “We have a lot to learn,” added Laivins. “As we dig into the technical side at the shop, we’re engaging with drivers and partners who will be a good fit as the program takes shape, and plan to offer testing opportunities very soon.”

With the transition to Ford, Monk and McAleer – who captured their first podium together at Road America this past weekend – are not expected to continue with Gradient, a longtime Acura team.

Laivins expressed his gratitude to Acura and Honda Racing Corporation for their six-year partnership: “Without HRC, Gradient would likely not be racing at this level,” stated Laivins. “I feel a lot of pride for our time with the Acura brand. We’re going to finish this season strong, and head into 2025 with fond memories and hopefully another trophy or two.”

Fans attending the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion on Aug. 14-17 will get the first glimpse of the new Gradient Racing Mustang GT3, as it will be on display alongside its roadgoing counterpart, the new Mustang GTD.