Aston Martin shakes up WEC GTE-Am line-up

Aston Martin Racing has confirmed a shake-up of its GTE-Am line-up in the FIA World Endurance Championship for the 2019/20 season, replacing two of its three drivers.

After three seasons racing as a trio, 2017 class champions Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy and Mathias Lauda will not continue through to the 2019-20 campaign as Aston Martin drafts in two new faces.

Bronze-rated Dalla Lana will be joined in the #98 Aston Martin Vantage GTE by long-serving Aston Martin factory driver and three-time Le Mans class winner Darren Turner, and Ross Gunn, who will make his WEC debut at Silverstone on September 1.

“We have changed the GTE Am line-up after a long period of stability and we expect this to produce results,” said John Gaw, managing director of Aston Martin Racing.

“This is a great opportunity for Ross to prove his ability at world level, while I think we are all fully aware of what Darren is capable of, and this gives him a chance to fight for a world championship and capture a fourth Le Mans victory.”

"I'm really looking forward to joining Paul and Ross in the #98 car and challenging for the 2019/20 GTE Am championship," said Turner.

"It’s going to be very hard work and I think it is going to be the most competitive season in the category, with some very quick cars and some very strong line-ups. Paul is an extremely talented driver with a great deal of experience in the WEC and as a package we are very strong.”

“It’s an honour to be joining the works Aston Martin Racing team for the start of the FIA WEC season,” added Gunn. “I’m very excited to begin this new chapter of my career at the pinnacle of GT racing and I will be pushing for a solid result."

Aston Martin will run an unchanged line-up in GTE-Pro for the ’19/20 season. The ‘Dane Train’ of Nicki Thiim and Marco Sørensen will remain in the #95 car, while Alex Lynn and Maxime Martin will team up once again in the #97 entry.