Aston Martin Teams to Compete in new FIA GT World Championship

Team Hexis AMR's Aston Martin DBR9

Aston Martin will be represented by two teams in the new FIA GT1 World Championship in 2010.


Teams Hexis AMR and Young Driver AMR have applied for entry and each plan to run two Aston Martin DBR9s in the championship. Entries are subject to approval by the FIA and the confirmed entry list will be issued in January.

Hexis AMR, an existing Aston Martin Racing partner team, based at the Nimes circuit in France has successfully campaigned Aston Martin DBRS9s for the past three years, winning the FIA GT3 European Teams Championship in 2009. In addition to its existing GT3 activity, the French team is adding two GT1 DBR9s to its stable of Aston Martin race cars in preparation for the World Championship.

Team Young Driver AMR's Aston Martin DBR9

Young Driver AMR is a new team, formed specifically to compete in the FIA GT World Championship with Aston Martins. The team has taken delivery of its two DBR9s and is currently setting up its new race facility.

With 10 events on four continents, organisers hope that the new championship will capture the hearts and attention of motorsport fans around the globe.

The calendar for the inaugural season of the FIA GT1 World Championship as approved by the World Motor Sport Council is:

03 Apr - Abu Dhabi - Yas Marina
02 May - UK - Silverstone
23 May - Czech Republic - Brno
04 Jul - France* - Paul Ricard
01 Aug - Belgium - Spa-Francorchamps
29 Aug - Germany - Nürburgring
19 Sep - Portugal - Portimao
07 Nov - South Africa* - Durban
28 Nov - Brazil - Interlagos
05 Dec - Argentina - San Luis
*Subject to the ASN confirmation

Based on the road-going DB9, the V12 engined Aston Martin DBR9 has enjoyed great success since winning its inaugural race at Sebring in 2005. Multiple race wins around the world followed and the DBR9 went on to win its class at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 in the hands of Aston Martin Racing.

The announcement of the new World Championship will see a change to the existing structure with GT1, GT2, and GT3 classes split into three distinct championships.

The FIA GT1 World Championship is for independent teams and professional drivers, the FIA GT2 European Championship is for independent teams and pro-am driver crews, and the FIA GT3 European Championship is for independent teams and non-professional drivers.

Further information about the Aston Martin teams and their driver line-ups will be announced in January following confirmation of the full entry list.

AMR's Aston Martin DBR9

[Source : ASTON MARTIN]