Heart of Racing Team has become the final entrant to confirm its full driver line-up for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign, revealing rising star Eduardo ‘Dudu’ Barrichello and two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class-winner Jonny Adam as part of a refreshed roster.
In evidence of its ambition and intent, long-time Aston Martin partner Heart of Racing will field its first two-car effort at the international pinnace of the discipline this season. Bronze-rated drivers Ian James and Gray Newell – the latter a series rookie – were announced back in December, with Barrichello, Adam, Mattia Drudi and Zacharie Robichon now rounding out the sextet.
Barrichello and Adam will partner Newell in the #23 Aston Martin Vantage AMR LMGT3. The Brazilian impressed greatly over the course of his maiden campaign in FIA WEC in 2025, capturing a pair of pole positions and thrilling his home fans with a hard-fought podium finish in São Paulo for Racing Spirit of Léman. He reached the rostrum again last month in the Rolex 24 At Daytona – IMSA’s celebrated curtain-raising contest.
“It’s such a pleasure to be returning to FIA WEC this year with such a special group of people,” the 24-year-old enthused. “I’m really excited to get going, and I’m beyond grateful to Heart of Racing for the opportunity they have given me.”
If Barrichello is just starting out on his endurable racing journey, new team-mate Adam has been there and done it all before. A veteran of 36 races in the championship from 2015 to 2019, the Scot clinched Aston Martin’s breakthrough GTE Pro category victory at Le Mans in 2017 behind the wheel of the factory Vantage GTE – in dramatic last-gasp fashion.
Adam subsequently switched to GTE Am partner team TF Sport and picked up four more class wins – including a second at La Sarthe – during the 2019-2020 ‘Super Season’, his most recent stint in the series.
“I’m super-excited to be joining Heart of Racing Team in 2026 and returning to FIA WEC,” remarked the 41-year-old, who also counts no fewer than four British GT Championship crowns on his glittering career CV. “Teaming up with Dudu, who had some awesome performances last season in LMGT3, alongside supporting Gray’s first year and [racing in] the 24 Hours of Le Mans is something I’m really getting fully involved in.
“The goal is to gain experience along the way and hopefully have some successful results for the team. With this line-up, I believe that’s entirely possible.”
As Adam alludes, he and Barrichello will support Newell in his acclimatisation to the championship and professional development. The Colorado native – who piloted the Vantage during November’s end-of-season Rookie Test in Bahrain – finished on the podium three times in the GT World Challenge America’s Pro-Am class over the course of his first season racing the classic British sportscar alongside Aston Martin ‘works’ driver Darren Turner last year.
“We know Gray has the potential to shine in FIA WEC, based on his performances in other categories and because he’s grown up as a driver within the THOR family,” reflected Team Principal James, who will continue to be flanked in the #27 entry by 2022 IMSA GTD champion Robichon and last season’s Le Mans LMGT3 pole-sitter Drudi, who is additionally a former winner of the 24 Hours of Spa.
“The best chance we can give Gray is to pair him with someone super-fast and renowned for his ability to nurture less experienced co-drivers to get the best out of them. There is no-one in the business more suited to that role than Jonny. Meanwhile, Dudu’s performances last year were outstanding. This is a very strong line-up, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve with our two Vantages in 2026.”
“Heart of Racing sets a high standard with its approach to GT racing, and Aston Martin is delighted to see – and fully supports – its expansion to two cars for this year’s LMGT3 assault,” added the illustrious marque’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, Adam Carter.
“We are also pleased to see Jonny Adam return to FIA WEC. His record speaks for itself, and he sets an outstanding example for new drivers to learn from. Dudu Barrichello, meanwhile, has earned his place in the team following his performances in 2025. We’re excited to see what these two Vantages can achieve on the most prestigious stage of all.”
