Le Mans, June 10, 2024: The anticipation mounts as Aston Martin gears up for its latest conquest at the illustrious 24 Hours of Le Mans, set to unfold this weekend on June 15-16. With an eye on clinching an impressive 20th class victory, the esteemed British luxury sports car manufacturer unveils its latest marvel, the Vantage GT3, on the grand stage of endurance racing.
Drawing inspiration from the acclaimed Vantage road car revealed earlier this year at Silverstone, the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 is a masterpiece crafted around the brand’s renowned bonded aluminum chassis and propelled by the formidable twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine. Two exemplars of this engineering marvel will take on the challenge of the legendary Le Mans circuit, competing fiercely in the new LMGT3 category as Aston Martin paves the way for its return to the premier class with the Valkyrie AMR-LMH slated for 2025.
Representing Aston Martin on the Le Mans battleground are their stalwart partners from the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), including D’station Racing from Japan and Heart of Racing from the United States. Amidst stiff competition from nine GT manufacturers, these teams carry the legacy and honor of the marque in what is widely regarded as the pinnacle of endurance racing.
D’station Racing recently etched their name in history by securing the inaugural international victory for the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the SUPER GT GT300 class at Suzuka. Spearheaded by the illustrious Aston Martin works driver, Marco Sørensen, alongside promising talents like Le Mans debutant Erwan Bastard and the seasoned Team Principal, Satoshi Hoshino, D’station Racing is poised for another triumph at Le Mans.
Meanwhile, Heart of Racing, poised to debut the works Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH in the Hypercar class next year, has already shown its mettle with an impressive second-place finish in the WEC season opener. Led by the astute Team Principal Ian James, supported by the expertise of Daniel Mancinelli and Alex Riberas, Heart of Racing aims to ascend to new heights on the hallowed tarmac of La Sarthe.
The significance of Le Mans transcends mere competition, with the double-points offering a tantalizing opportunity for both teams to seize the lead in the championship standings. As the European leg of the season draws to a close, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Aston Martin and its partners.
For Aston Martin, Le Mans is more than just a race; it’s a testament to their enduring legacy in endurance racing. From humble beginnings in 1928 to the glory days of the 1950s, marked by iconic victories and legendary drivers, to the resurgence in the 21st century with remarkable GT triumphs, Aston Martin’s journey at Le Mans is woven into the fabric of motorsport history.
As the countdown to Le Mans begins, Aston Martin stands ready to script yet another chapter of triumph and legacy on the storied circuit, reaffirming its status as one of the preeminent names in endurance racing.
