As Aston Martin Racing’s newly-crowned GT prodigy Kobe Pauwels prepares to make his FIA World Endurance Championship debut at Imola this month, the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy is opening its doors to a fresh cohort of aspiring young drivers. This prestigious programme has become one of the most sought-after pathways for budding endurance racers, with eight previous graduates already shining on the world stage. Pauwels himself will join the Heart of Racing Team for the LMGT3 class, stepping in for Dudu Barrichello while balancing his full-season commitments with Comtoyou Racing in GT World Challenge Europe.
For 2026, the academy has attracted 22 promising talents from ten countries, all competing across a range of Aston Martin partner teams. From international endurance stalwarts like Comtoyou Racing, Walkenhorst Motorsport, Heart of Racing Team, Van Der Steur Racing and Racing Spirit of Léman to domestic GT4 squads including Mirage Racing, Racar Motorsport, Medusa Motorsport, MKH and GBR Stratton, the programme represents a truly global talent hunt.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance, emphasised the academy’s growing impact: “We’re very proud of the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy. Its alumni have flourished, with graduates now competing in WEC, IMSA, GT World Challenge Europe, Spa 24 Hours and Nürburgring 24 Hours. It’s a proven platform for nurturing endurance racing talent, and we look forward to seeing who emerges in 2026.”
The academy offers a unique learning environment, combining intensive three-day seminars, media training, bespoke fitness assessments, nutrition planning, commercial insight, and technical workshops at Aston Martin Racing’s factory. Competitors are assessed throughout the season by a judging panel including endurance legend Darren Turner, works driver Valentin Hasse-Clot, WEC racer Jonny Adam, Head of AMR Academy Rachel Adam, and other senior Aston Martin figures. The winner gains full Aston Martin Racing support for 2027 and a test in a contemporary Vantage GT3, alongside tailored guidance to accelerate their professional development.
Past graduates include impressive names such as Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis, who now lead the Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie in North America, and Valentin Hasse-Clot, who contributes as a coach and judge. Jamie Day, the 2024 winner, maintains a full international campaign with the Vantage GT3, while Pauwels balances multiple high-level commitments as he embarks on his WEC debut.
The 2026 candidates span a wide array of series and teams, from Sébastien Baud at Van Der Steur Racing in IMSA to Louka Desgranges with Racing Spirit of Léman in the GT4 European Series, and rising stars like Hannah Grisham and Mateo Villagomez representing North American programmes. This global talent pool underlines the academy’s mission: to identify, nurture and fast-track the next generation of Aston Martin GT racing stars, ensuring the brand continues to thrive in endurance racing for years to come.
