Following in Grand Prix’s tyre tracks...

Ford v Ferrari’s nomination at the Academy Awards for Best Picture is a first for a dedicated motor sport film, after it earned four nominations at the prestigious event.

James Mangold’s film, known as Le Mans ’66 in territories such as the UK, tells the story of Ford’s attempt to win the Le Mans 24 Hours in retaliation to a failed attempt to buy Ferrari in 1963, with Christian Bale playing Ken Miles and Matt Damon taking on the role of Carroll Shelby.

The film encompassed the 1964-66 Le Mans races and the development of the Ford GT40, while also touching on the death of Miles in a testing accident in 1966 at Riverside International Speedway.

The film proved a hit with critics and moviegoers, earning over £150million at the box office, and was praised for its lead actors’ performances and cinematography.

While the results were announced on February 9, after Motor Sport went to print, even we recognise it is unlikely to have sealed the Best Picture award, against opposition including The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit, Joker and Little Women.

However, Ford v Ferrari was also nominated at the Academy Awards for film editing, sound mixing and sound editing – areas it may stand a chance. Motor racing has some precedent in Oscar categories, as 1966’s Grand Prix won three Oscars in the same categories, while Days of Thunder was a contender for best sound but ultimately lost out to Dances with Wolves in 1991.