The Heart of Racing will make its Asian Le Mans Series debut in the 2026/27 season with two Aston Martin Vantage GT3 entries and a six-driver roster, with the team and all six drivers making their first appearances in the championship.
Gray Newell, Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello, and Roman De Angelis will share the #26 entry, while team principal and driver Ian James will join Zacharie Robichon and Mattia Drudi in the #27 sister car.
“We’re excited to take The Heart of Racing into the Asian Le Mans Series for the first time,” said James.
“It’s a new challenge for all six of us behind the wheel, but there’s a lot of familiarity within these line-ups and a strong foundation to build on. We’re looking forward to learning some new circuits together and seeing what we can achieve.”
Newell and Barrichello will carry their partnership from the FIA World Endurance Championship into the new campaign, with De Angelis joining them after previously sharing a Vantage with Newell in SRO GT4 America and Barrichello in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Newell and De Angelis will make their first starts at all three circuits on the Asian Le Mans Series calendar, while Barrichello has made four starts at Circuit Paul Ricard.
“I’m really looking forward to competing in the Asian Le Mans Series for the first time,” De Angelis said.
“Having circuits on a calendar that I haven’t been to before, like Paul Ricard and Jerez, isn’t something common for me these days, so it’s something I’m particularly excited about.
“It’s always nice to get back to GT racing as well whenever I have the opportunity. The racing is really competitive, and the level of drivers in ALMS is always high, which makes it a great challenge I’m looking forward to. I’m excited to get started with my teammates and the Heart of Racing Team to hopefully put together a strong campaign.”
James, Robichon, and Drudi will reunite in the #27 during the winter after racing together in the WEC’s LMGT3 category. Robichon has scored podium finishes at Paul Ricard and the Autodromo do Algarve, including a 2023 European Le Mans Series victory at the latter venue.
Drudi has also competed at both circuits and most recently won at Paul Ricard in GT World Challenge Europe this season.
“It’s exciting to take on a new championship with Ian and Mattia,” said Robichon.
“We know how to get the best out of each other, and hopefully we can carry that momentum from WEC into ALMS. Mattia and I also have experience at some of these circuits, which should give us a good starting point. The goal is to put everything together and be competitive from the opening round.”
The program represents another step in The Heart of Racing’s international expansion while continuing its mission to raise awareness and support for Seattle Children’s.
The opening round of the 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series season will take place at Circuit Paul Ricard on November 13-15.
