Aston Martin Targets 20th Class Victory With New Vantage GT3 At Le Mans

Aston Martin is gearing up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most renowned race, as it aims its 20th class victory. The race will feature two examples of the Aston Martin Vantage GT3, which built on the same platform as the recently unveiledantage road car and powered by a twin-turbo4.0-litre8 engine. Both cars will compete in the LM3 category, as Aston Martin prepares for its return to the top class with the Valkyrie AMR-LMH in 2025. The Aston Martin teams, D'station Racing and Heart of Racing, will be representing the brand at Le Mans, which will include entries from a record-breaking nine GT manufacturers.

D'station Racing recently made history by securing the first international race win for the new Vantage GT3 in the SUPER GT GT300 class at Suzuka. Aston Martin works driver Marco Sørensen, a three-time FIA World Endurance Champion and 2022 Le Mans class winner, will be spearheading the team's efforts. He will be joined by Le Mans debutant Erwan Bastard and Team Principal Satoshi Hoshino.

Heart of Racing, which will compete in the Hypercar class with the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH in 2025, achieved a second-place finish in the LMGT3 class in the season-opening Qatar 1812km. The team will be led by Team Principal Ian James, with Daniel Mancinelli and Alex Riberas joining him as drivers.

The Le Mans race is known for its length and difficulty, and it offers double points in the FIA World Endurance Championship due to its significance. This presents an opportunity for both Heart of Racing and D'station Racing to take the lead in the championship standings.Aston Martin has a storied history at Le Mans, with the brand first competing in the race in 1928. The manufacturer has achieved class victories and overall wins throughout the years, solidifying its reputation as a leading GT manufacturer. In recent years, Aston Martin has achieved success with the Vantage in the GTE classes, and it will now make its mark in the new LMGT3 category.|

Adam Carter, Head of Endurance Motorsport at Aston Martin, expressed the brand's excitement for the upcoming race and highlighted the importance of Le Mans in Aston Martin's racing legacy. He emphasized the need for performance, technical excellence, and fortitude to conquer the race, qualities that Aston Martin aims to uphold as it strives for another class victory.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans will feature a 23-car LMGT3 field, making it the largest in the WEC season. The race will take place on 15-16 June, with practice and qualifying sessions leading up to the main event. Aston Martin's participation in Le Mans demonstrates its commitment to endurance racing and its quest for success on the world stage.