{"id":12302,"date":"2020-11-11T16:06:26","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T12:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autoscommunity.com\/?p=12302"},"modified":"2020-11-11T16:06:27","modified_gmt":"2020-11-11T12:06:27","slug":"world-gt-manufacturers-champions-chase-more-accolades-in-wec-finale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/autoscommunity.com\/2020\/11\/11\/world-gt-manufacturers-champions-chase-more-accolades-in-wec-finale\/","title":{"rendered":"World GT Manufacturers\u2019 Champions Chase More Accolades in WEC Finale"},"content":{"rendered":"

World GT Manufacturers\u2019 champions Aston Martin embark on the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) finale \u2013 the 8 Hours of Bahrain \u2013 this weekend, aiming to record a level of title glory unprecedented in the British luxury sportscar brand\u2019s history. Aston Martin has enjoyed its most successful endurance racing season since 1959, with the turbo-charged 4-litre V8 Vantage GTE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sixty-one years ago, Aston Martin won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby, as well as the World Sportscar Championship thanks to additional wins by Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman at Goodwood and the N\u00fcrburging in the DBR1\/300. These famous victories ensured that Aston Martin defeated its rivals, Ferrari and Porsche.<\/p>\n

\"AMR<\/a><\/p>\n

Six decades later and Aston Martin<\/a> had done it again, clinching a historic double victory in both the GTE classes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in September, when Alex Lynn (GB), Maxime Martin (BEL) and Harry Tincknell (GB) delivered a brilliant performance to clinch the GT Manufacturers\u2019 FIA World Endurance Championship crown, ahead of those same old adversaries Porsche and Ferrari.<\/p>\n

The #97 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE Pro crew\u2019s win was their first of the season, which has been the longest in FIA WEC history due in part to the Coronavirus pandemic. The result also moved the drivers back into contention for the GT FIA World Endurance Drivers\u2019 Championship<\/a>, 15 points behind team-mates and series leaders Marco S\u00f8rensen (DEN) and Nicki Thiim (DEN) in the #95 car.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, only Martin will be able to compete alongside the Danes for the world title after Lynn received a positive test for Covid-19 last weekend and has therefore not travelled to Bahrain. His place in the line-up has been taken by Richard Westbrook (GB), who was already expected to race with the team in the #98 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE<\/a> Am entry<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Martin<\/a>
Martin and Lynn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly disappointing to end the FIA World Endurance Championship season in this way,\u201d said Lynn, who is self-isolating at home. \u201cEspecially after the amazing high of the Le Mans victory that brought us back into title contention. I wish all my team-mates the best of luck this weekend, but especially Maxime and Richard.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Thiim and S\u00f8rensen have been the on-form driver pairing this season, with three victories and two-second places from seven starts. But with the eight-hour race worth 1.5 times the points of a normal six-hour event, meaning for the second time this season there are 38 points available for a victory plus another for pole position, there is no room for complacency particularly since one for the drivers from Ferrari\u2019s leading GTE crew is also within striking distance.<\/p>\n

\"Thiim<\/a>
Thiim & Sorensen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

\u201cIt comes down to this,\u201d said Thiim, \u201cafter all the blood sweat and tears that have gone into this both from the team, who have already won the manufacturers\u2019 championship with this amazing Vantage GTE and from the drivers. This is what you dream about as a driver, the chance to fight for a world championship<\/a>. To have done it once with Marco in 2016, and to have the chance to do it again is simply amazing. But we still have a job to do, eight hours is a long time in motor racing<\/a>, and we have a big fight on our hands. We will give it everything.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

2017 WEC GTE Am champion Pedro Lamy (POR) rejoins Paul Dalla Lana in the #98 Vantage GTE alongside Ross Gunn (GB). A veteran of 17 victories in the class, Pedro makes a welcome return to the GTE Am line-up as the crew goes in hunt of a victory to round-off the season in style.<\/p>\n

TF Sport became the first customer team to win the GTE Am class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans<\/a> with an Aston Martin<\/a> in September and in doing so moved to the top of the FIA Endurance Trophy for GTE Drivers\u2019 and Teams\u2019 standings. It means that works drivers Jonny Adam (GB), Charlie Eastwood (GB) as well as Salih Yoluc (TUR) have an eight-point advantage going into the finale.<\/p>\n

\"Westbrook<\/a>
Westbrook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Aston Martin Racing Managing Director John Gaw said: \u201cWe go into the final round of the 2019-20 WEC with drivers in contention for the world title, which is an exceptional position to be in and a testament to the depth of quality and hard work delivered throughout the team. That Alex is not able to join us is hugely disappointing for everyone, and we wish him well. Now we must focus on completing the job and ensure that we come away from Bahrain having delivered on our mission to win both GTE world titles.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If they win the championships, and one of Aston Martin\u2019s Pro crews prevail, it will be only the second time in the sport\u2019s history that a manufacturer has won both GTE classes at Le Mans as well as all four GTE FIA WEC titles.<\/p>\n

\"Martin<\/a>
Martin and Lynn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Aston Martin Racing President David King said: \u201cWe are delighted to have won both classes so comprehensively at Le Mans, which contributed to us being able to secure the Manufacturers\u2019 title before the season finale. We are now looking forward to trying to put the icing on the cake and being able to secure both the Pro and Am drivers\u2019 and teams\u2019 championships would crown a remarkable season for Aston Martin, and our best results in endurance racing since 1959. But whatever happens this weekend, we can leave 2020 secure in the knowledge that we are the top GT manufacturer in sportscar racing.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

NEXT UP IN\u00a0NEWS<\/a><\/h5>\n