Ford vs Ferrari: Fact vs Fiction
The 2019 film Ford v Ferrari tells the story of the rivalry between the Ford Motor Company and Ferrari in the 1960s. This film is based on a true story, but the movie is not a documentary, so some creative license was taken with the facts. Here's a closer look at what really happened and how it was portrayed in the film.
The Rivalry
The rivalry between Ford and Ferrari began in the early 1960s when Henry Ford II decided that he wanted to build a car that could beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most prestigious endurance race. Ferrari had won the race six times in a row, and Ford was determined to put an end to Ferrari's dominance. To achieve his goal, Ford hired Carroll Shelby, a former race car driver, to lead a team of engineers and designers to build the Ford GT40.
Carroll Shelby
In the film, Carroll Shelby is played by Matt Damon. Shelby was a real person, and he was indeed hired by Ford to lead the GT40 project. Shelby was a talented engineer and driver, and he had a reputation for being a demanding and difficult boss. However, he was also a brilliant strategist, and he was able to motivate his team to achieve great things.
Ken Miles
Ken Miles is played by Christian Bale in the film. Miles was a real person, and he was one of the most talented race car drivers of his time. He was also a close friend of Shelby, and he was instrumental in the development of the GT40. Miles was a brilliant driver, but he was also known for being outspoken and opinionated. This sometimes led to conflict with Ford executives, who were not always willing to listen to his advice.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an endurance race that is held annually in France. The race is 24 hours long, and it is one of the most challenging races in the world. In the film, the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans is the climax of the story. In real life, the 1966 race was one of the most dramatic and memorable races in history. Ford entered three GT40s in the race, and Ferrari entered four cars. The race was close throughout, and it came down to the final lap. In the end, Ford won the race, and Ferrari was defeated.
The Aftermath
The Ford GT40's victory at Le Mans was a major coup for Ford, and it helped to establish the company as a serious player in the world of sports car racing. However, the victory came at a price. Miles, who was leading the race when he was ordered to slow down by Ford executives, died in a crash during a test drive a few months later. Shelby was devastated by Miles' death, and he retired from racing shortly thereafter.
Legacy
The Ford GT40 is still considered to be one of the greatest race cars of all time. It won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row, from 1966 to 1969. The car's success helped to establish Ford as a major force in sports car racing, and it also inspired a new generation of race car drivers.
Fact vs Fiction
The film Ford v Ferrari is based on a true story, but it is not a documentary. The filmmakers took some creative license with the facts in order to make the story more compelling. For example, the film portrays Shelby and Miles as being much closer friends than they actually were in real life. The film also downplays the role that Ford executives played in Miles' death.
Conclusion
The film Ford v Ferrari is a well-made and entertaining film that tells a compelling story about one of the greatest rivalries in sports history. However, it is important to remember that the film is not a documentary. The filmmakers took some creative license with the facts, so it is important to do your own research if you want to learn more about the real story behind the Ford GT40 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
