Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Set for Triumphant Return to WEC at Interlagos
The Heart of Racing and D’station Racing Aim for Maiden Vantage GT3 Win in FIA WEC
A Decade Later, Aston Martin Returns to Interlagos as the Most Successful GT Manufacturer
The Heart of Racing Eyes IMSA Success After Victory at Watkins Glen
Wednesday, 10 July 2024, São Paulo, Brazil: Aston Martin’s new Vantage GT3 is poised to make a powerful return to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos) in São Paulo, Brazil, marking the first time in a decade that the series has visited this iconic circuit. Partners The Heart of Racing (THoR) and D’station Racing are eager to secure the first WEC class win for the Vantage GT3.
Derived from the newly unveiled Vantage road car, this GT3-based contender features Aston Martin’s robust bonded aluminum chassis and a formidable twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine. The Vantage GT3 has already proven its mettle with a string of victories in June, including Aston Martin’s first overall win at the 24 Hours of Spa since 1948, thanks to Comtoyou Racing. Additionally, THoR claimed the car’s maiden IMSA win at Watkins Glen, Blackthorn Racing triumphed in the Road to Le Mans race, Walkenhorst Motorsport secured a Pro-Am class victory in the Nürburgring Langstrecken Series, and D’station Racing kickstarted this success with a win in Japan’s SUPER GT Series.
Returning to Interlagos, where Aston Martin has historically dominated with three wins and three podiums in past WEC events, both D’station Racing and THoR are set to leverage this momentum. In the season-opening 1812km of Qatar, D’station Racing and THoR both achieved podium finishes, setting a promising stage for the second half of the season.
D’station Racing, currently fourth in the LMGT3 class standings, will be represented by drivers Marco Sørensen, a three-time FIA WEC GT class champion and recent Spa 24 Hours winner, and Erwan Bastard, a title-winning GT4 driver. Clément Mateu will rejoin the team at Interlagos. THoR’s team principal and driver Ian James, who delivered a stellar performance at Le Mans, will race alongside regular teammates Daniel Mancinelli and IMSA winner Alex Riberas, who, with Ross Gunn, secured THoR’s first IMSA victory with the new Vantage at Watkins Glen.
THoR will also compete in the IMSA race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport), the sole Canadian event in the IMSA calendar. Roman De Angelis, the 2022 IMSA GTD champion, will team up with Magnus Racing’s Spencer Pumpelly, replacing Zacharie Robichon. With Alex Riberas racing in Brazil, Ross Gunn will join Mario Farnbacher in the #23 GTD Pro car, aiming to build on their podium finish at Mosport last year.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, expressed optimism: “June was a remarkable month for the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3, with victories at Spa and in IMSA. The car showed competitive performance at Le Mans, and we’re confident in our teams’ abilities to fight for wins. Returning to Brazil, where Aston Martin has a strong track record, gives us every reason to aim high this weekend. We also wish THoR success in IMSA at Mosport. Their win at Watkins Glen was well-deserved, and we hope for similar success in Canada.”
Official practice for the 6 Hours of São Paulo begins on Friday, 12 July, at 1045 local time (1445 BST), with the race starting at 1130 (1530 BST) on Sunday. Practice for the IMSA event at Mosport also starts on Friday, 12 July, at 1345 local time (1835 BST), with the race kicking off at 1105 (1605 BST) on Sunday. Stay updated through the official series websites and apps.
