- Team return for second round of 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship
- Cool and changeable conditions predicted throughout race weekend
- Last competitive action ahead of world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans
Thursday 4 May, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium: The gloves are off this weekend, as Aston Martin Racing prepares itself for its latest Spa-rring match; the 6 Hours of Spa-Franchorchamps.
With the FIA World Endurance Championship field set to take on the circuit’s world-famous corners, including Pouhon, Blanchimont and the iconic Eau Rouge, Team Principal Paul Howarth is confident of a strong performance to add to the team’s vital championship points scored at Silverstone last time out.
Howarth said, “I was incredibly proud of the performance the entire crew put in at Silverstone and I’ll be looking for the same again this weekend in Belgium. It’s the last opportunity for us to make sure we are “match fit” for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with victory there undoubtedly one of our leading objectives this season. We already know that this weekend will throw many variables in terms of the weather, but we’re more focused and prepared than ever to take those on”.
Piloting the #95 V8 Vantage in GTE Pro will be the trio of Nicki Thiim (DN), Marco Sorensen (DN) and Richie Stanaway (NZ). In the sister #97 GTE Pro entry, Daniel Serra returns for his second weekend with the team, competing alongside the British pair of Darren Turner (GB) and Jonny Adam (GB).
Serra commented, “Spa-Francorchamps is a circuit I’ve wanted to drive for a long time and to finally get the opportunity this weekend is incredible. I already know that it will be incredibly testing and we will need to drive the Vantage at the limit to get the most from this weekend. Silverstone was a great start with Aston Martin Racing and I was pleased to be on the pace so quickly. I am hoping that Darren, Jonny and I continue to improve and push for a great result this weekend”.
In GTE Am, Paul Dalla Lana (C), Pedro Lamy (P) and Mathias Lauda (A) will be aiming to guide the #98 V8 Vantage GTE to the top step of the podium. After a safety car at Silverstone eradicated a commanding lead and brought their rivals back into contention, the crew will be hoping for an incident free 6 hours to allow them to deliver victory.
The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps begins at 14:30 on Saturday 6 May.
