Aston Martin will field a seven-car Vantage GT3 line-up for the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe at Paul Ricard on Saturday, April 11. The entry represents over 10% of the 60-car field, marking the brand’s largest-ever presence at the start of the championship.
Sharing the mechanical architecture of the high-performance Vantage road car, the Vantage GT3, which triumphed at the 24 Hours of Spa in 2024 – the world’s most prestigious GT3-only event, is built around Aston Martin’s proven bonded aluminum chassis and powered by its fearsome twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine.
Three Pro Class entries (cars and teams competing in the professional category) will feature for the season opener. A Comtoyou Racing Vantage GT3 piloted by Aston Martin Aramco F1 driver Lance Stroll, former Formula One competitor and GT racer Roberto Merhi, and Aston Martin Aramco Academy graduate Mari Boya. The Prologue test on Wednesday, April 8, will allow all teams to fine-tune setups prior to the day-to-night season opener.
Joining them are two regular Pro class entries, as well as two Vantages each in Silver and Bronze Cups. In total, the line-up includes six works GT drivers (professional drivers often factory or, in this case, works drivers) and two AMR Driver Academy graduates.
Aston Martin head of endurance motorsport, Adam Carter, said, “It is fantastic for Aston Martin to have the strongest Vantage line-up the brand has ever fielded in the GT World Challenge Europe that includes two Pro cars filled with Aston Martin works drivers, and we’re proud to say, our two most recent AMR Driver Academy graduates Kobe Pauwels and Jamie Day. The GT World Challenge Europe goes from strength to strength with every passing season and there is no better way, or place, to showcase Vantage’s exceptional abilities on the international motorsport stage.”
Comtoyou Racing is joined in GT World Challenge Europe by two other key Aston Martin partners; German team Walkenhorst Motorsport and Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn – which makes its series debut after successful stints in the British GT Championship and the Asian Le Mans Series.
Related news, Lola previews sustainable innovations with T70S
