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Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Secures Maiden Victory in FIA World Endurance Championship
Aston Martin's new Vantage GT3 celebrated a significant milestone, clinching its first victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) during the Lone Star Le Mans at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The Heart of Racing (THOR) team, with drivers Ian James, Alex Riberas, and Daniel Mancinelli, delivered a commanding performance, leading 160 out of 164 laps in the six-hour race to secure the top spot. This victory not only marked a major achievement for the new Vantage GT3 but also underscored Aston Martin’s enduring legacy in the world of endurance racing.
Dominant Performance by The Heart of Racing
Starting from the class pole, THOR set the pace early, with Ian James expertly navigating the first double-stint and maintaining the lead under pressure from a rival Lamborghini. Mancinelli, making history as the first Italian driver to win a WEC race in an Aston Martin, further extended the team’s advantage. By the time he handed over to Riberas, the gap to their closest competitor had widened to over 20 seconds. Riberas, fresh off a podium finish with the Vantage GT3 at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at VIR, delivered a flawless final stint to secure the victory.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin's Head of Endurance Motorsport, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement: “This is an exceptional victory for the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and The Heart of Racing team. The Vantage GT3 and the team have been demonstrating winning potential for some time now in WEC, particularly with their strong performances in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 6 Hours of Sao Paolo. This emphatic win only serves to further underline the huge potential of Vantage in only its first year of top-level competition.”
Aston Martin’s Winning Legacy at COTA
This triumph at COTA marks Aston Martin's tenth win at the circuit since the WEC began visiting in 2012 and is the 53rd victory recorded by the brand in the series, placing it third on the all-time list of manufacturer wins. It also represents the 123rd time an Aston Martin team has stood on the podium, and the first time a North American team has claimed a class victory at COTA.
THOR's win continues a string of successes for the team, which competes in IMSA’s GTD Pro and GTD classes. With victories in both categories, including a notable win at Watkins Glen and another at Mosport, the team has consistently demonstrated its prowess with Aston Martin machinery. Currently, THOR sits fourth in the LMGT3 standings with two races remaining in Japan and Bahrain, just nine points shy of second place.
Reflecting on the victory, Ian James shared, “This feels amazing. To do this in America, on the world stage and to get our first WEC win, it is just such a great achievement. Thanks to all the team, and everyone at Aston Martin Racing, what an effort they all put in. Everybody executed to the maximum today and the results show that. To compete in a WEC race is a dream, but to win a WEC race is on the next level so this one will be in the memory bank for a long time to come.”
Success Beyond the Atlantic: Vantage GT3 Shines at Spa-Francorchamps
The Aston Martin Vantage GT3's success extended beyond COTA, with partner team Walkenhorst Motorsport securing multiple podium finishes in the ADAC GT Masters series at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. Drivers Denis Bulatov and Mike David Ortmann finished third overall in Race 1, while their teammates Chandler Hull and Nico Hantke won the Pro-Am class. Bulatov and Ortmann continued their impressive performance with another third place in the Silver class during the second race.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Fuji and Bahrain
The WEC now moves to Japan for the 6 Hours of Fuji, the penultimate round of the championship, where Aston Martin and THOR will aim to build on their momentum. With 65 points still available, THOR remains in the hunt for a top-three finish in the standings, making the next races crucial for their championship aspirations.
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