Mattia Drudi named Aston Martin reserve driver in Endurance

Mattia Drudi's appointment comes as no surprise to those who closely follow the program. Aston Martin en EnduranceThe 27-year-old Italian has repeatedly demonstrated his talent since becoming an official driver for the brand in 2024. That year, he was part of the crew that secured the Vantage's first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Spa. In 2025, he took pole position in the LMGT3 category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, before climbing onto the podium last January at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the GTD category. His most recent victory dates back to April 12th, at the Paul Ricard circuit for the first round of the GT World Challenge Europe, where he won with Comtoyou Racing, still driving an Aston Martin Vantage.

However, it was his time driving the Valkyrie during the Rookie Test of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Bahrain last year, which definitively convinced the organization to entrust him with this new role. Ian James, director of THOR (The Heart Of Racing), doesn't mince words: “Mattia’s performance […] was extremely impressive. With Mattia, we have one of the best GT drivers in the world within the Aston Martin family.”

Drudi also expressed his gratitude and eagerness to progress through the Hypercar program hierarchy: “I am truly grateful to The Heart of Racing and Aston Martin for giving me the opportunity to become more involved in the Valkyrie program. I thoroughly enjoyed driving the car during the WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain. I am looking forward to spending more time behind the wheel and becoming even more comfortable with the car. With such a promising season ahead, I will be ready to take the wheel if called upon.” A clear message: the 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint champion is ready to seize his chance if the opportunity arises, whether in the Hypercar or GTP (Grand Touring Prototypes) category.

A reserve pilot ready to seize his chance

Alongside this new role, Drudi continues to fulfill his responsibilities within Aston Martin's GT program in the WEC. He shares the number 27 Vantage with Ian James and Zacharie Robichon at Imola for the season-opening 6 Hours — the same trio as in 2025. Robichon, champion IMSA GTD in 2021 and winner in ELMS Drudi, who will compete in the LMGTE class in 2023, secured pole position at the 24 Hours of Daytona earlier this year. He will therefore continue to rack up the miles and refine his understanding of Aston Martin's technical environment from the Vantage cockpit, while remaining available to step into the Valkyrie if the team needs him.

Because the role of reserve driver involves much more than just waiting. Drudi will have to maintain a consistent level of preparation, stay in close contact with the Hypercar program engineers, and deepen his understanding of a car radically different from the Vantage GT3. He knows, however, that the gap between an exploratory test like the Rookie Test and getting to grips with the car in race conditions remains significant. "I'm looking forward to spending more time behind the wheel and feeling even more comfortable with the car."he explains, aware that the preparation is only just beginning.

A Valkyrie awaiting her moment

Behind this intense GT activity lies Aston Martin's Hypercar ambition. The Valkyrie represents the brand's most ambitious commitment to competition in decades, and the appointment of a strong driver like Drudi to this role demonstrates Aston Martin's desire to have a credible continuity plan should the need arise. Ian James concludes unequivocally: "Mattia will be ready, if called upon, to demonstrate his talent, whether in the Hypercar category or the GTP category." For Drudi, after years of methodically building his reputation in GT racing, the door to the very highest level of endurance racing is now ajar.

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