Aston Martin’s new Vantage GT3 secured its first victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as partner team The Heart of Racing (THOR) triumphed in the Lone Star Le Mans at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Sunday.
THOR’s drivers, Ian James (GBR), Alex Ribera’s (ESP), and Daniel Mancinelli (ITA), dominated the six-hour event, leading 160 of the 164 laps and starting from the class pole. Riberas also set the fastest LMGT3 lap of the race. James, familiar with the COTA circuit, led from the start, delivering a flawless double stint and withstanding pressure from a Lamborghini rival. Mancinelli, the first Italian to win a WEC race in an Aston Martin, extended the team’s lead as competitors faltered. By the time Riberas took over, the lead had grown to over 20 seconds, and he maintained it to secure the win.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, praised the team’s performance: “This is an exceptional victory for the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and The Heart of Racing team. Congratulations to Ian James, Alex Riberas, Daniel Mancinelli, and the entire organization. The Vantage GT3 and the team have been demonstrating winning potential for some time now in WEC, particularly with their strong performance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and second place in the 6 Hours of Sao Paolo. This emphatic win, combined with those in the Spa 24 Hours, IMSA Weathertight Sportscar Championship, and the SUPER GT Series in Japan, underscores the huge potential of Vantage in only its first year of top-level competition.”
This win marks Aston Martin’s tenth victory at COTA across all classes since the WEC began visiting the circuit in 2012 and its 53rd overall in the series, placing it third on the all-time list of manufacturer wins. It also represents the 123rd podium finish for Aston Martin crews and the first class win at COTA by a North American team.
THOR’s victory continues a successful streak, having won in IMSA’s GTD Pro and GTD classes and achieving further wins and podiums across various series. The team remains fourth in the LMGT3 standings, with two races left in Japan and Bahrain, trailing second place by just nine points.
“This feels amazing,” said James. “To do this in America, on the world stage, and get our first WEC win is a great achievement. Thanks to all the team and everyone at Aston Martin Racing. Everybody executed to the maximum today, and the results show that. Competing in a WEC race is a dream, but winning one is on the next level, so this will be remembered for a long time.”
Meanwhile, the Vantage GT3 also enjoyed success at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, where partner team Walkenhorst Motorsport earned multiple podiums in the ADAC GT Masters series. Denis Bulatov (DEU) and Mike David Ortmann (DEU) finished third overall in Race 1, while Chandler Hull (USA) and Nico Hanke (DEU) won the Pro-Am class. Bulatov and Ortmann also secured another Silver class third place in Race 2.
The WEC now heads to Japan for the 6 Hours of Fuji, the penultimate round of the championship, at Fuji Speedway from September 13-15.
