Aston Martin Racing has announced a revised driver line-up for the remaining 2018 FIA WEC ‘Super Season’ rounds, its two Pro class Vantage AMRs set to race with two drivers in each car. This will allow its drivers to get more track time during the shorter races at Silverstone, Shanghai and Fuji.
In the #95, Marco Sorensen and Nicki Thiim will continue to share the ‘Dane Train’, while Darren Turner steps back. Turner has though, signed a new long-term contract with AMR, which will see him take on development and brand ambassador duties.
Turner will return to the AMR line-up in 2019, for the WEC races at Sebring, Spa and Le Mans.
This news means that the 2018 6 Hours of Silverstone will be the first race in WEC history which will run without Turner on the entry, leaving just Andre Lotterer and Christian Ried as the only ever-presents left in the championship.
“I’m delighted to extend my association with Aston Martin. After three Le Mans victories and 14 amazing years, driving for this brand has been the highlight of my career,” Turner said.
“As I look into the future I’m excited to be able play a significant role in shaping new road and racing cars. It goes without saying I’m looking forward to getting back in the #95 when we head to Sebring next year. It’s exciting times at Aston Martin and I’m very proud to be a part of it.”
Jonny Adam meanwhile, will move from the #97 Aston Martin to TF Sport’s GTE Am class Vantage temporarily, leaving Maxime Martin and Alex Lynn to share the Pro car as a pair for the remaining 2018 races.
Adam will race with Salih Yoluc and Charlie Eastwood in the TF Sport seat filled by Euan Hankey at Spa and Le Mans. In 2019, DSC believes that Adam, like Turner, will rejoin the GTE Pro crew for Sebring, Spa and Le Mans.
“As we move into the second phase of the Super Season, it is critical we maximise our opportunities through the three shortest races on the calendar,” Aston Martin Racing team principal Paul Howarth said.
“By switching to two-driver crews we achieve this. Nicki and Marco have a long-standing partnership, while Maxime and Alex have settled into the team well. Jonny remains a vital part of our line-up and we are pleased he will race in the TF Sport entry, which keeps him race-sharp at world level.
“I am also delighted that Darren continues to play a major role. He proved he’s lost none of his speed with an exceptional performance at Le Mans, and his experience and wisdom is invaluable as we continue to develop our still young Vantage GTE programme.”
The line-up in Aston Martin Racing’s #98 GTE Am crew of Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy and Mathias Lauda remains unchanged for the rest of the WEC ‘Super Season’.
