Oliver Gavin added to leading GTE Pro No.97 driver line up
International GT driver Oliver Gavin (GB) will join Aston Martin Racing for the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) - the Six Hours of the Circuit of the Americas - this weekend (22 September) to offer additional support in the championship-leading #97 Vantage GTE as works driver Stefan Mücke recovers from injuries sustained in a recent racing incident at Barcelona 24 Hours.
Three-times 24 Hours of Le Mans GT winner Gavin will step in to sit alongside Mücke and long-standing team-mate Darren Turner (GB). Mücke was examined by doctors on Monday (16 September) and deemed fit to race but, with advice from his Driver Performance physiotherapist, he has decided to drive for a reduced period of time thanks to the support from Gavin.
Mücke comments: “It’s great to have Olly in the car. He’s a very good driver and we’re looking forward to having his support this weekend. He did a few laps yesterday and was on the pace in the Vantage GTE really quickly.”
Gavin, 40, was already at the state-of-the-art Circuit of the Americas to compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), which shares the race weekend with the WEC. As four times ALMS GT Champion and current championship leader, he seemed the obvious choice for Aston Martin Racing’s Team Principal John Gaw.
”Stefan is recovering incredibly quickly following Barcelona 24 Hours, but with he option to add such an experienced driver as Olly to the #97 line up this weekend it did not take long to make this decision," explains Gaw.
“Olly is in the unique position of racing two cars this weekend that are leading their respective championships. He is great friends with Darren, and we look forward to welcoming him to the team and to working with him here at the Circuit of the Americas.”
With the full agreement and co-operation of all parties, Gavin now looks forward to racing with the team.
“The opportunity has come out of the blue due to Stefan’s unfortunate accident,” he said. “It’s a great chance for me to compete both in the ALMS with Corvette Racing and in the WEC with Aston Martin Racing, but I wish him a speedy recovery first and foremost. Both the cars I will be in this weekend are leading their championships and I am very aware of my responsibilities to all parties.
“I have to thank GM Racing boss Mark Kent for allowing me to do this and I feel a lucky boy to be in both cars in such competitive events.”