The 2024 works driver lineup for Aston Martin Racing boasts champions like triple FIA World Endurance GT champion Marco Sørensen, signaling a new era in GT racing. Sørensen, victorious at Le Mans and Rolex 24, commits to a multi-year deal, solidifying his long-term partnership with Aston Martin.
This is a very exciting time to be a works Aston Martin driver. I feel like I am in the prime of my career, and that I have a lot to bring to a works manufacturer programme. So, to be able to commit to Aston Martin, which feels like my family after eight years of racing, at a time when it is developing so many new platforms and investing considerable energy into its racing programmes, is perfect for me. I’ve been with Aston Martin for a long time, and we’ve had a great deal of success together. It feels like those amazing days when the ‘Dane Train’ was on top of the world, are coming back.
The second half of Aston Martin’s renowned ‘Dane Train,’ Nicki Thiim, extends his commitment as a works driver in 2024. In his 12th consecutive season with Aston Martin, Thiim, a key part of the successful partnership with Sørensen, clinched FIA WEC GTE Pro titles in 2016 and 2019/20. Thiim’s recent achievement includes a GTD class podium at this year’s Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with partner team Magnus Racing.
It’s always an honour to represent Aston Martin, and I’m looking forward to being able to fight for championships again at the top level of GT racing with Vantage. There is still so much to win and still so much history to be made, I’m sure of that.
New Faces
Aston Martin’s 2024 works lineup welcomes three new drivers, including GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup champion Mattia Drudi. Drudi, with a stellar record, joins after five seasons as an Audi driver. Alongside him are Le Mans class winner Henrique Chaves and Nürburgring 24 Hours champion David Pittard. Drudi, 25, brings his winning momentum, securing the Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS Sprint Cup and the Italian GT Championship Endurance Cup in 2021.
I’m honoured to be joining Aston Martin as a works driver. I’m really looking forward to being part of such an iconic manufacturer programme in motorsport. I feel this is the right environment for me to develop as a driver and to fight together for prestigious victories in the most important races around the world.
Henrique Chaves, 26, hailing from Lisbon like Aston Martin Racing legend Pedro Lamy, played a key role in TF Sport’s FIA WEC GTE Am championship win with Sørensen and Ben Keating in 2022. Despite participating in only five races, he secured a remarkable third place in the 2022 FIA WEC drivers’ standings. Chaves is also a former champion in GTWC Sprint Cup Pro-Am class and International GT Open.
What can I say about signing with Aston Martin? I am more than happy, that’s for sure. My biggest achievement in racing was winning Le Mans in 2022 in the Vantage. To have the opportunity to represent this iconic brand as a works driver means everything to me. Of course I am really looking forward to adding more chapters to my story in the future together with Aston Martin. I just can’t wait to get started in 2024.
David Pittard, well-acquainted with Aston Martin, partnered with Thiim and AMR’s Paul Dalla Lana at NorthWest AMR in 2022. Securing a victory on his FIA WEC debut at Sebring, the Englishman concluded the season as the world championship standings runner-up. In 2023, he joined the Heart of Racing for three IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship endurance rounds (Rolex24 at Daytona, Sebring 12 Hours, and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta).
I feel honoured to become a works driver is something I have strived to be my whole career. Racing has always been my dream, my whole life, so to do it with such an iconic endurance racing brand like Aston Martin is a dream come true. I’m hugely excited to get started and get working.
Returning Champions
In 2024, Ross Gunn (GBR), IMSA GTD Pro winner, leads Heart of Racing’s Aston Martin assault alongside Alex Riberas. A part of AMR since 2015, Gunn’s 2023 achievements include two GTD Pro victories. British GT champion Jonny Adam (GBR) returns for his 14th season, showcasing an impressive career with Le Mans victories and British GT titles. Valentin Hasse Clot (FRA) rises to the European Le Mans Series after winning the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Aston Martin legend Darren Turner (GBR), a three-time Le Mans winner, adds to the lineup, entering his 20th season as a works driver. Turner’s expertise complements the emerging talent within Aston Martin Racing’s partner team network.
Ross Gunn, IMSA GTD Pro winner, continues with Heart of Racing in 2024, leading Aston Martin’s Pro charge alongside Alex Riberas. A part of AMR since 2015, Gunn showcased his speed in 2023 with two poles and wins in the GTD Pro class.
Jonny Adam, a four-time British GT champion, returns for his 14th season with Aston Martin Racing, boasting an illustrious career with two Le Mans wins and four British GT titles.
Valentin Hasse Clot steps up to the European Le Mans Series in 2024 with Racing Spirit of Léman, following his success in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Darren Turner, an Aston Martin legend, completes the lineup with victories, including the GTD class at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona in 2023.
Turner, entering his 20th season, holds the record for the most Le Mans 24 Hours wins with Aston Martin, providing a wealth of experience to complement the emerging talent within Aston Martin Racing’s partner team network.
As we prepare to embark on a new era for Aston Martin in endurance racing, with the advent of newly-developed evolutions of our Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and GT4 platforms, and of course the Valkyrie Hypercar programme that becomes a racing entity in 2025, we’ve assembled an ultra-competitive works driver line-up. This group of drivers knows how to win and is expert at extracting every ounce of performance from a GT car, while at the same time harnessing the endurance capabilities necessary to win at this level. We’re delighted to welcome three proven champions in Mattia, Henrique and David to this group, and we’re excited to see what they can all achieve in 2024 and beyond.
As we move into a period of accelerated learning and development with our various racing platforms, this blend of pace and experience will be vital to achieving Aston Martin’s goal of maintaining our status as a force to be reckoned with among our peers at the top of world endurance competition.
