Aston Martin ends its presence in WEC

After Ford and BMW at the end of the 2018-2019 season, it is the turn ofAston Martin to stop any official commitment in GTE Pro. The Gaydon firm has just made official this morning this information that we revealed to you in preview in mid-November (see Ah n°2287).

The press release states that the brand is changing strategy to focus on customer competition. A decision following a most prolific season, having seen him win the Manufacturers' and Drivers' titles (Marco Sorensen-Nicki Thiim) in WEC, as well as two class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in GTE Pro thanks to the No. 97 of Maxime Martin-Alex Lynn-Harry Tincknell and in GTE Am thanks to TF Sport and its trio Jonathan Adam-Salih Yoluc-Charlie Eastwood.

« An unprecedented success on the international scene, underlines Aston Martin Racing president David King. At all levels, from GTE to GT4 to GT3, with no less than 26 titles around the world. But there is more to do, and more to come from Vantage, which is why we have concluded that the time has come to transfer the support of the parent company to our partners in order to continue this harvest during the biggest GT events. »

Should we expect an increased presence from Aston Martin in GT World Challenge and Intercontinental GT Challenge? Presumably. We should also still see Vantages in the GTE Am class of the WEC.

Since 2012 and the rebirth of the World ChampionshipEndurance, Aston Martin was – with Ferrari et Porsche – one of the three pillars of the GTE. In nine years, there have been 47 class victories, 103 podiums, nine titles and four category successes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This decision to leave the WEC comes a few months after a consortium called Yew Tree Overseas Limited and led by Lawrence Stroll has become the majority shareholder of a brand that it will bring back next year in Formula 1, a first since 1960.

This leaves Ferrari and Porsche as the only competitors entered year-round in GTE Pro, with the reinforcement of Corvette on two or three occasions – notably at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 12-13) – and which confirms that GTE is at its end. of breath. And for good reason, the observation is not more encouraging across the Atlantic since Corvette Racing should be the only manufacturer officially entered in GTLM next year in IMSA. Can’t wait for the Hypercar…