Aston Martin is today announcing its largest and most ambitious works race programme to date, comprising a five-car campaign in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In its eleventh year of competition Aston Martin Racing returns to the WEC with three Vantage GTEs in the GTE Pro class and two cars in the GTE Am class. Looking to add to its impressive tally of 19 race wins and three championship titles, the team aims to claim the coveted GT manufacturer’s title, as well as both GT titles at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
All the cars being campaigned in the WEC and at Le Mans are derived from the sports car maker’s road-going Vantage range. Today’s Vantage line-up – comprising three distinct models using one of two advanced engines; V8 Vantage, V8 Vantage S and V12 Vantage S – represents a clear and strong link between road car and race car.
CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “Announcing our largest racing programme to date ten years to the day after Aston Martin Racing’s debut win at Sebring 12 Hours clearly shows how the team has progressed, building year-on-year on its success. “Our multiple wins last year underlines our ability to perform at the highest level and, as we look forward to the 2015 season, we’re anticipating another exciting and highly competitive year of exhilarating GT racing in the WEC, as well as at Le Mans.”
Aston Martin Racing’ s WEC campaign will continue to benefit from the support of long time partners Gulf whose famous livery will feature on three of the works cars, while more recent partners Hanergy and Valero will be represented with their own new liveries on the other two GTE challengers.
Aston Martin Racing’s 2015 season starts with The Prologue, the official WEC test session at Circuit Paul Ricard in France on 28 and 29 March. The opening round of the championship, the Six Hours of Silverstone, takes place on 12 April.
Driver line-ups: World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans
Darren Turner: “The WEC continues to go from strength to strength and, for any driver, to be involved in an FIA World Championship is always exciting. I’m back with my team-mate Stefan [Mucke] for another year and really looking forward to getting stuck in and taking the fight to our competitors! I think we have a strong chance this year; everyone has worked very hard over the winter and we are all focused on winning the championship.”
Rob Bell: “It’s fantastic to be returning to Aston Martin Racing, especially at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I think that Darren, Stefan and I make a very strong line-up and together we have a great chance of success.”
Alex MacDowall: “It’s great to have Richie in the team. He’s performed really well in the WEC in the past and he’s a great team-mate. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do together.”
Stuart Hall: “We had a great season in the ELMS but it’s definitely good to be back in the WEC. This really is the pinnacle of sports car racing and I love being a part of it.”
