Third step of the Le Mans podium for Aston Martin Racing
After the failure of the AMR One project in 2011, Aston Martin Racing returned to its roots with the V8 Vantage, a GT which has proved a worthy successor to the DBR9 in the former LMGT1 category at Le Mans during the last decade. And it was with a podium finish that the British team celebrated its return to the highest level in GT racing.
In free practice, the Vantage in the sky blue and orange livery of Gulf Oil, set the fastest time of the session. In qualifying, Darren Turner, could not prevent Frederic Makowiecki and his Ferrari taking pole, putting the Aston second on the LMGTE Pro grid.
The Vantage driven by Stefan Mucke, Adrian Fernandez and Darren Turner, kept pace with the leaders in LMGTE Pro which, although it has fewer competitors than the Am class, it is no less competitive . The German driver put in a stunning lap in 3:54.928 after 20 hours of racing, nearly four tenths less than the pole position!
Unfortunately, the fate of the Vantage was sealed just before the four hour mark. Stefan Mücke, who had never before competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours with a GT, left the track at Indianapolis. The German brought the car back to the pits but the damage was slight and mechanics only had to change a door and bonnet. The repair only lasted ten minutes, but the price was the loss of second place for the British team.
David Richards, Chairman of Aston Martin : “Le Mans is always one of the most special events of the year and probably the world’s greatest motor race. To come here with a new GTE car and finish on the podium is a great accolade not just for the team, but also for the Aston Martin product and everybody that has supported us. Two of our drivers, Stefan Mücke and Adrian Fernandez, had never before competed in a GTE car here, although Darren Turner’s a Le Mans stalwart and has been with us since the beginning of the Aston Martin Racing programme. The team worked brilliantly together to help get Stefan and Adrian onto the pace. Adrian, in particular, acquitted himself very well given that this is his first season in a production-based racing car, so it was fitting that he should have the honour of driving the Vantage GTE over the finishing line. We only had one car competing in GTE Pro this weekend and that’s always an unnerving feeling because we know how easily the slightest mistake can trip you up – that makes for a very long 24-hour race! The Aston Martin Vantage GTE set the fastest GTE lap of the race and didn’t have any technical issues at all. We didn’t have quite the fuel economy of the winning car, but we know what we have to do to correct that for next year. Everyone in the team should be very proud of themselves.”
Dave Davies (quote from team press release)
Photo : LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, WEDNESDAY 13th JUNE 2012, FREE PRACTICE. For its debut as a works Aston Martin entry, the Vantage took the thrid step of the podium.