In an exciting development for motorsport, Aston Martin has announced a remarkable influx of young talents into its 2024 Racing Driver Academy, marking the beginning of a new quest to discover the next star among its graduates. This year, an impressive array of 32 drivers from across the globe, hailing from 13 different countries and representing five continents, have registered for the program. These aspirants are set to compete for at least 14 different partner teams of Aston Martin, including newcomers such as Comtoyou Racing, Walkenhorst Motorsport, Forsetti Racing, and EastSide Motorsport.
This diverse group of racers will participate in almost every major international endurance series in 2024, from the FIA World Endurance Championship to the Fanatec GT World Challenge, and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, as well as key national competitions in the UK, Germany, and France. Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance, emphasized the academy’s role as a proven platform for identifying and nurturing emerging talent within their partner network, highlighting its constructive contribution to the sport and its participants.
Since its inception in 2014, the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy has significantly grown in popularity and prestige, aiming to accelerate the development of talented drivers from the Aston Martin Racing partner team ecosystem. The initiative boasts a commendable track record of propelling young racers to stardom, including champions like Ross Gunn, Tom Canning, Valentin Hasse-Clot, Roman De Angelis, Romain Leroux, and Mike David Ortmann.
The program offers an unmatched opportunity for learning and development, targeting competitors between 16 and 26 years old involved in Vantage GT3 and GT4 race programs. The chosen graduate receives financial support for their 2025 racing endeavors, alongside personalized factory assistance and coaching.
Recently, the participants underwent an intensive three-day seminar covering various aspects of racing, from media training and simulator sessions to fitness assessments and engineering workshops. This comprehensive preparation underscores Aston Martin Racing’s commitment to molding well-rounded drivers equipped for competitive success.
A distinguished judging panel, featuring motorsport luminaries like Darren Turner, Jonny Adam, and former academy victor Hasse Clot, will assess the candidates’ performance throughout the season. The criteria include strategic acumen, teamwork, commercial savvy, and public relations skills, aiming to identify a standout driver with the potential for a bright future in racing.
