Norwegian racer Christian Krognes has been added to Aston Martin Racing’s factory driver roster for 2025.
The 2018 Spa 24 winner is set to take on the GT World Challenge Endurance Cup as a first assignment with the brand, racing alongside new works teammates David Pittard and Henrique Chaves, in Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Pro class #34 Vantage GT3.
34-year-old Krognes, whose CV includes the overall Nordschleife-based Nürburgring Langstrecken Series (NLS) title in 2012, is the official GT3 lap record holder on the fearsome circuit’s NLS layout since 2022. A long-serving driver for Walkenhorst Motorsport, he will also participate in the team’s SP9 Pro class assault on the Nürburgring 24 Hours in June.
“Christian’s performances over the years at the Nürburgring have ensured he has long been someone we’ve kept an eye on, and when the opportunity arose for us to bring him into the AMR family officially, it seemed like an obvious decision to make,” said Aston Martin Racing Director of Performance Gus Beteli.
“He is super-fast, gives precise and consistent feedback, works well in a team environment and is a safe pair of hands behind the wheel; all key attributes when competing in the highest levels of endurance racing.”
Krognes described becoming part of the AMR works driver line-up as the “realisation of dream”.
“Now I’m looking forward to taking on the challenges ahead with my great teammates at Walkenhorst Motorsport behind the wheel of the spectacular Aston Martin Vantage GT3,” he added. “I’ve always admired the brand’s heritage and I’m very proud to represent such an iconic manufacturer.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank AMR for putting its faith in me as well as all the people who have supported me so far on this journey. I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Krognes joins a 14-driver works stable which includes Marco Sørensen, Nicki Thiim, Henrique Chaves, Mattia Drudi, David Pittard, Valentin Hasse Clot, Jonny Adam, Darren Turner, Ross Gunn, Alex Riberas, Roman De Angelis, Tom Gamble and Harry Tincknell.
Meanwhile, AMR has also revealed a number of drivers for the GT World Challenge Europe season.
Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins will step back into an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for a second consecutive season as she joins Comtoyou Racing in the Endurance Cup. Her team-mates in the #11 car will be confirmed at a later date.
“I’d like to thank Arm and Valvoline for their support in helping me to progress to GTWC Europe, it’s an excellent next step in my racing career and will ultimately give me the opportunity to work towards my ultimate dream of competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I’m looking forward to getting started and racing at some new and familiar circuits.”
The Briton will be surrounded by a wealth of talent in the Belgian partner team – a GTWC Europe Endurance Cup Pro class title contender in 2024 thanks in no small part to Spa 24 Hour winners Drudi, Sørensen and Thiim, who return for another season in the #007 for another crack at championship glory.
The newest AMR Driver Academy winner Jamie Day also steps up to the GTWC Europe Endurance Cup with Comtoyou Racing in 2025 in an Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
The 2024 British GT GT4 Silver class champion will run in the GTWC Silver division alongside Belgian duo Kobe Pauwels and Matisse Lismont.
Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Pro line-up of Chaves, Krognes and Pittard will be joined by an equally impressive Silver class crew in the #35 Vantage GT3 that features yet another AMR Academy winner – Romain Leroux, alongside Mateo Villagomez and Oliver Söderström.
The AMR partner team will dovetail its Endurance Cup assault with a Pro class campaign in the Sprint Cup for Chaves and Villagomez.
Images courtesy of AMR
