Barrichello hails ‘dream’ Aston Martin drive with Racing Spirit of Léman
Eduardo Barrichello – son of two-time Formula 1 World Championship runner-up Rubens Barrichello – is looking forward to making his international debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2025, describing the opportunity as a ‘dream’.
It was announced towards the end of last year that Racing Spirit of Léman would take over from D’Station Racing as the second Aston Martin Racing-backed team in FIA WEC’s fiercely-disputed LMGT3 class. The French outfit has clinched consecutive crowns in recent campaigns – in the Le Mans Cup’s LMP3 category in 2022, and then again in the series’ GT3 division in 2023, its first season in partnership with AMR.
Last year, RSL stepped up to the European Le Mans Series, with Aston Martin Racing factory driver Valentin Hasse Clot, Derek Deboer and Casper Stevenson piloting the Vantage AMR GT3 Evo to a pair of podium finishes and third position in the final classification at LMGT3 level.
The Frenchman and American will team up once again this season in FIA WEC alongside new recruit Barrichello, who has lately been participating in Brazil’s Stock Car Pro Series, securing third in the standings in 2024. Prior to that, the 23-year-old São Paulo native gained some experience on the European stage in Formula Regional competition, notably getting to grips with Imola and Spa-Francorchamps and reaching the rostrum at the latter in 2022.
“I’m absolutely thrilled!” enthused Barrichello, whose father contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 category in 2017, a year after finishing overall runner-up in the 24 Hours of Daytona. “This has been my dream for so long, and I can’t wait to get started! I will never be able to thank Racing Spirit of Léman and my amazing team-mates enough for their support.”
“Stepping up to the top-tier of endurance racing with Racing Spirit of Léman and Aston Martin is a real honour,” added Hasse Clot. “It is the realisation of a goal that we set ourselves two years ago, and I’m excited to return to Le Mans in June to represent Aston Martin in a race that is particularly close to my heart.”
“There aren’t enough words to express my excitement and gratitude to be embarking upon this new adventure,” echoed Deboer. “Competing for Aston Martin Racing with Racing Spirit of Léman at the absolute pinnacle of the sport in FIA WEC is honestly a dream come true.
“This opportunity is just reward for the tireless efforts and determination of so many people. We’re looking forward to pushing the limits on the global stage with the support of an iconic manufacturer and a highly motivated team.”
Those sentiments are shared by Racing Spirit of Léman founder, Patrick Barbier, who has hailed the combined knowledge and ambition in the three-strong line-up – and hinted that the squad will be looking to fight up at the sharp end right from the outset.
“Competing at the highest level – particularly in FIA WEC – has always been our objective,” he affirmed. “Thanks to the hard work and commitment of the entire team, and the trust placed in us by Aston Martin Racing and our partners, we are very happy to have succeeded in putting this programme together. It’s a significant new challenge that we are excited and proud to be taking on.
“We are delighted to welcome Eduardo to the team. His talent – allied to Derek and Valentin’s experience – will play a key role in helping us to fight for strong results. With Aston Martin on our side, we are ready to tackle the season ahead.”
