- 32 fresh Aston Martin Vantage racers sign-up to 2024 AMR Driver Academy
- Latest graduate Mike David Ortmann steps up to ADAC GT Masters with the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3
- Initiative's winner to receive Aston Martin Racing support and assistance through 2025 and a test in a new Vantage GT3
- Judges include Aston Martin endurance racing legend Darren Turner, works driver Valentin Hasse Clot and four-time British GT champion Jonny Adam
A record number of aspiring young GT drivers have registered for the 2024 Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy as the British ultra-luxury sportscar manufacturer begins a new search to endorse an eighth graduate from the successful and prestigious initiative.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance, said: 'The Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy is now a proven and established method for us to assess emerging talent from within our partner network. It allows the brand to contribute back into the sport in a constructive and supportive manner that benefits all concerned. You only have to read back through the alumni to understand the impact the initiative has for GT-focussed drivers, of which there are a growing number of exciting prospects with every passing season.' The initiative, which has grown exponentially in popularity and significance since it began in 2014, is designed to fast-track talent from within Aston Martin Racing's thriving partner team network and is a way for AMR to contribute back to motorsport by investing in and honing future talent. The scheme has a high success rate and is proud to have furthered the careers of several rising GT stars including IMSA Sprint Cup champion Ross Gunn (GBR), British GT4 champion Tom Canning (GBR), reigning Le Mans Cup champion Valentin Hasse-Clot (FRA), IMSA GTD champion and Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona winner Roman De Angelis (CDN), and most recent winners Romain Leroux (FRA) and Mike David Ortmann (DEU).
Indeed, Ortmann steps up to Germany's prestigious ADAC GT Masters series in a new Vantage GT3 with Walkenhorst Motorsport in 2024, having reigned supreme in ADAC GT4 Germany category with a PROsport Racing Vantage over the past two seasons.
An unrivalled platform for learning and development with an established manufacturer, this essential initiative is fine-tuned every year and improved to effectively coach drivers in the early stages of their careers. Competitors aged between 16 and 26 with Vantage GT3 and GT4 race programmes in recognised championships are eligible. The prize on offer for the successful graduate includes financial support towards their 2025 race programme, as well as assistance and guidance from the factory, tailored to their season plans.
2024 ASTON MARTIN RACING DRIVER ACADEMY CANDIDATES
Driver | Team | Series | Car |
Nicolas Baert (BEL) | Comtoyou Racing | GTWC Europe | GT3 |
Erwan Bastard (FRA) | D'station Racing | FIA WEC | GT3 |
Denis Bulatov (DEU) Charles Clark (GBR) | Walkenhorst Motorsport Comtoyou Racing | ADAC GT Masters GTWC Europe | GT3 GT3 |
Jamie Day (GBR) Baudouin Detout (FRA) | Forsetti Motorsport GPA Racing | British GT GT4 European Series | GT4 GT4 |
Roberto Faria (BRA) | Racar Motorsport | Supercars Endurance | GT4 |
Philipp Gogollok (DEU) Lorcan Hanafin (GBR) Nico Hantke (DEU) | EastSide Motorsport TF Sport Walkenhorst Motorsport | ADAC GT4 Germany European Le Mans ADAC GT Masters | GT4 GT3 GT3 |
Mex Jansen (NED) David Kullmann (CHE) Matisse Lismont (BEL) Alexandre Machado (BRA) | Walkenhorst Motorsport Racing Spirit of Léman Comtoyou Racing Racing Spirit of Léman | GTWC Europe GT4 European Series GTWC Europe GT4 European Series | GT3 GT4 GT3 GT4 |
Mathieu Martins (FRA) | Racar Motorsport | Supercars Endurance | GT4 |
Josh Miller (GBR) | Mirage Racing | GT4 European Series | GT4 |
Esteban Muth (BEL) Rianna O'Meara-Hunt (NZL) Sebastian Ogaard (DEN) | Comtoyou Racing Forsetti Motorsport Comtoyou Racing | GTWC Europe GT Cup GTWC Europe | GT3 GT4 GT3 |
Will Orton (GBR) Mikey Porter (GBR) | Forsetti Motorsport Forsetti Motorsport | British GT British GT | GT4 GT4 |
Mahaveer Raghunathan (IND) Fabio Rauer (DEU) Raphael Rennhofer (AUT) | Team Lazarus PROsport Racing PROsport Racing | Italian GT GT4 European Series GT4 European Series | GT3 GT4 GT4 |
Maxime Robin (FRA) Josh Rowledge (GBR) | Walkenhorst Motorsport Blackthorn Racing | GTWC Europe British GT | GT3 GT3 |
Ruben del Sarte (FRA) | Mirage Racing | GT4 European Series | GT4 |
Jodie Sloss (GBR) | Forsetti Motorsport | GT Cup | GT4 |
Rory van der Steur (USA) | Van der Steur Racing | IMPC | GT4 |
Casper Stevenson (GBR) | Racing Spirit of Léman | European Le Mans | GT3 |
Matteo Villagomez (VEN) | Racing Spirit of Léman | FFSA GT4 | GT4 |
Victor Weyrich (FRA) | Racing Spirit of Léman | FFSA GT4 | GT4 |
posted on conceptcarz.com