Aston Martin’s All-British Line-up for WEC and IMSA Racing
Aston Martin is gearing up for an exciting season of racing with an all-British line-up set to take the wheel of their Valkyrie AMR-LMHs. The renowned Le Mans 24 Hours and the full World Endurance Championship will be the stages where these skilled drivers showcase their talents.
Headlining the team is double Le Mans class winner Harry Tincknell, who will be joined by 2018 McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Tom Gamble for the entire campaign. The experienced Ross Gunn, a long-time Aston factory driver, will complete the trio in the #007 entry specifically for the Le Mans race in June and a selection of other races.
The announcement of Gamble and Gunn joining the team was recently made, marking Aston’s return to the top tier of sportscar racing in both the WEC and North America’s IMSA SportsCar Championship since 2011. Along with this exciting news, images of the Valkyrie Le Mans Hypercar in its WEC and IMSA liveries were revealed, adding to the anticipation of the upcoming races.
A Stellar Line-up for Intense Racing Action
Joining Tincknell, Gamble, and Gunn is Marco Sorensen, a two-time WEC GTE Pro title winner with Aston, who will partner with Alex Riberas in the #009 car for the full season. Additionally, Roman De Angelis will team up with Gunn for THOR’s single-car IMSA campaign, commencing with the Sebring 12 Hours on March 15.
Adam Carter, the head of endurance motorsport at Aston, expressed his enthusiasm for the all-British line-up at Le Mans, highlighting it as a fantastic opportunity that arose during the planning process. Carter emphasized the strong existing connections that all the drivers, including Gunn and Sorensen, have with Aston and THOR, underscoring the cohesive and familiar environment within the team.
Tincknell’s victory in the 2020 GTE Pro class at Le Mans has solidified his status as a skilled driver, while Gamble’s experience in IMSA long-distance races and Riberas and De Angelis’ contributions to THOR have positioned them as valuable assets to the team. Carter confirmed that Gunn and De Angelis will also be part of the WEC crews for the season-opening round in Qatar on February 28, showcasing a unified effort across all fronts.
Comprehensive Testing and Preparation for the Races
As the team prepares for the intense racing ahead, Carter outlined a strategy for the season, aiming to compete in the regular six-hour races with two drivers per car, starting with Imola in April. He also mentioned that plans could evolve throughout the season, with minimal clashes between the WEC and IMSA schedules.
The V12-powered non-hybrid Valkyrie has undergone extensive testing, covering over 15,000km since its debut on the track in July. Carter expressed satisfaction with the progress made during testing, emphasizing the importance of endurance and development mileage as the program advances.
Looking ahead to the endurance simulations leading up to Le Mans in June, Carter assured that the team is well-prepared for the challenges ahead. Aston and THOR will continue to fine-tune their performance at the Sebring International Raceway following the second round of the IMSA series, ensuring they are in prime condition for the upcoming races.
As Aston Martin revs up for a thrilling season of WEC and IMSA racing, the team’s all-British line-up promises exhilarating competition and expertly crafted performances on the track. With a talented roster of drivers and a meticulously prepared Valkyrie Hypercar, fans can expect nothing short of high-octane action and adrenaline-pumping races ahead.
