Seven Aston Martins to start GT World Challenge Europe at Paul Ricard

Aston Martin is set to field seven Vantage GT3 cars at the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at Paul Ricard on 11 April, accounting for more than ten per cent of the 60-car grid. This is the largest presence that the British brand has ever had at the start of the series.

The line-up includes three Pro Class entries. Notably, a fourth Comtoyou Racing Vantage will be driven by Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll, alongside former F1 driver Roberto Merhi and Aston Martin Academy driver Mari Boya.

Comtoyou Racing's regular Pro Class entry features works drivers Mattia Drudi, Marco Sørensen and Nicki Thiim, who won the 2024 Spa 24 Hours together. The Belgian team will also field Silver and Bronze Cup cars. Joining them are two other Aston Martin partners: Walkenhorst Motorsport, who will be entering a Pro Class Vantage driven by works drivers Henrique Chaves, Christian Krognes and Silver Cup champion Jamie Day; and Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn, who will be making their series debut with a Bronze Cup entry.

In total, the Vantage contingent includes six Aston Martin works GT drivers and two graduates from the brand's Racing Driver Academy.

The GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup is the world's leading GT3-based endurance series. The five-round calendar includes races at Paul Ricard, Monza and the Spa 24 Hours in June, followed by events at the Nürburgring and Portimão.

The Vantage GT3 shares its bonded aluminium chassis and 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with the road-going Vantage. For European fans, the season opener at Paul Ricard will feature a significant Aston Martin presence, with the brand looking to build on its victory at the 2024 Spa 24 Hours.