Aston Martin is set to make a formidable impression at the 2026 GT World Challenge Europe with an unprecedented seven-car Vantage GT3 line-up for the season opener at Paul Ricard on 11 April. Representing over ten percent of the 60-strong grid, this is the largest Aston Martin presence in the championship’s history, showcasing the marque’s commitment to endurance GT racing.
Among the entries is a standout Pro Class effort featuring Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team driver Lance Stroll, alongside former Formula One® competitor Roberto Merhi and Aston Martin Aramco Academy graduate Mari Boya. This entry joins two additional Pro Class Vantages, complemented by Silver and Bronze Cup cars, together forming one of the most competitive Vantage line-ups ever assembled.
The Prologue test at Paul Ricard on 8 April will see these cars take to the circuit for a first glimpse of their pace ahead of the iconic day-to-night season opener on Saturday. Aston Martin’s roster boasts six works GT drivers alongside two of the brand’s most recent Racing Driver Academy graduates, Kobe Pauwels and Jamie Day, emphasizing the mix of experience and emerging talent within the squad.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport, reflected on the team’s strength: “It is fantastic for Aston Martin to field our strongest Vantage line-up ever in GT World Challenge Europe. With two Pro cars filled with works drivers and the latest AMR Driver Academy graduates, we are proud to demonstrate Vantage’s exceptional abilities on the international stage.”
Comtoyou Racing, a key Aston Martin partner, will run multiple entries including the Pro Class Vantage driven by Mattia Drudi, Marco Sørensen, and Nicki Thiim. The Belgian squad delivered Aston Martin’s first Spa 24 Hours victory in the modern GT-only era in 2024 and claimed the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Silver Cup title in 2025. Joining Comtoyou are German outfit Walkenhorst Motorsport and Scottish team Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn, which makes its series debut after successful campaigns in the British GT Championship and Asian Le Mans Series.
Walkenhorst Motorsport will field a Pro Class Vantage piloted by works drivers Henrique Chaves, Christian Krognes, and Silver Cup champion Jamie Day, while Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn enters a Bronze Cup car for Jonny Adam, Giacomo Petrobelli, and Tom Wood. The diverse and competitive line-up underscores Aston Martin’s growing dominance in GT3 racing.
The GT World Challenge Europe is renowned as the world’s premier GT3-based endurance series, featuring ten manufacturers and some of the finest sportscar talent globally. The 2026 calendar includes Paul Ricard, Monza, the iconic Spa 24 Hours, the Nürburgring, and Portimao. The Vantage GT3, sharing its bonded aluminium chassis and twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine with the high-performance road car, remains a proven contender, following its triumph at Spa in 2024.
This season opener promises to deliver thrilling racing, with Aston Martin set to field its most powerful and diverse Vantage GT3 squad yet, signaling an ambitious campaign across Europe’s elite endurance circuits.
