27 January, 2025, Daytona International Speedway, USA: Aston Martin’s iconic Vantage race car delivered a remarkable performance in the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, securing a coveted podium finish in North America’s most prestigious endurance race, the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The result marks a thrilling start to the IMSA season and sets the stage for the debut of the Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie at the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring.
The #27 Vantage GT3 of The Heart of Racing (THOR) clinched third place in the fiercely competitive GTD class, showcasing both speed and resilience in a race that tested every ounce of determination. This podium finish is a milestone for the new Vantage GT3, marking its first-ever podium at Daytona, and continuing Aston Martin’s impressive streak in the endurance race. With this result, Aston Martin has now secured a podium finish in the Rolex 24 at Daytona for four consecutive years, solidifying its status as a formidable force in motorsport.
A Heroic Fightback by The Heart of Racing
The Heart of Racing, a long-time partner of Aston Martin, was in the thick of the action throughout the 24-hour race, having made a bold start from seventh on the grid. The driver lineup, consisting of Zacharie Robichon (Canada), Tom Gamble (Great Britain), Mattia Drudi (Italy), and Casper Stevenson (Great Britain), executed a well-planned pit strategy, allowing them to lead the race by the fourth hour. Their exceptional on-track pace and precision pit stops kept them in contention for a podium, despite facing setbacks.
With just three hours to go, the #27 Vantage GT3 was spun off the track by a rival, dropping the team to sixth place. However, a masterful final stint by Aston Martin works driver Mattia Drudi brought the car back into contention. Over the final 20 minutes, Drudi engaged in a dramatic three-way battle for victory, trading the lead multiple times. When the chequered flag fell, the team had fought their way back to third place, marking a historic moment for the newest iteration of the Vantage GT3.
Van der Steur Racing Impresses on IMSA Debut
Not far behind, Van der Steur Racing made an impressive debut in the GTD category, achieving a top-six finish in their first-ever Rolex 24 at Daytona. Having made their mark in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with the Vantage GT4, the team quickly adapted to the GTD field. Valentin Hasse Clot (France), Maxime Robin (France), Anthony McIntosh (Canada), and team owner Rory van der Steur (USA) showed consistent pace throughout the race, finishing just eight seconds shy of the podium.
This impressive result underlines the potential of the Vantage GT3 platform, as well as the engineering excellence that Aston Martin brings to its partner teams. Van der Steur Racing’s top-six finish is a testament to the team’s preparation and the unwavering support provided by Aston Martin Racing.
Aston Martin’s Endurance Motorsport Success
The fourth consecutive Rolex 24 podium finish for the Vantage GT3 is a testament to the enduring success of Aston Martin’s racing program. The Vantage, which shares its mechanical architecture with the road-going version, is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine and built around Aston Martin’s renowned bonded aluminium chassis. Its proven performance on the world’s most demanding circuits continues to make it one of the most formidable contenders in endurance racing.
Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, Adam Carter, expressed his pride in the team’s achievements: “We’re delighted to see Vantage on the podium for the fourth time in four years at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and for the first time with the new model. The Heart of Racing was one of the fastest and best-prepared teams in the race and adapted its race strategy brilliantly to fight back to the front despite some setbacks. Van der Steur Racing’s top-six finish is remarkable for a team on its category debut against such a deep GTD field. We congratulate both teams and hope to share more successes in future rounds of this year’s championship.”
Looking Ahead: A Thrilling 2025 Season
As the IMSA season continues with the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on 15 March 2025, all eyes will be on the upcoming debut of the Aston Martin Valkyrie in the top GTP category. The THOR team, which has been at the forefront of Aston Martin’s racing efforts, will lead the Valkyrie program in both the IMSA and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). With the Valkyrie set to make its racing debut, Aston Martin’s endurance motorsport program is poised for even greater success in the year ahead.
The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona has proven that Aston Martin’s commitment to excellence in motorsport remains unwavering. With two Aston Martins in the top-six and a thrilling podium finish for The Heart of Racing, the future of Aston Martin’s endurance racing program is brighter than ever.
