Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Targets Rolex 24 Glory at Daytona
Three Aston Martin Vantage GT3 cars will chase victory in North America’s best-known endurance race, the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship kicks off in earnest at the world-famous Florida venue this weekend.
Partner teams The Heart of Racing [THOR], Magnus Racing and Van der Steur Racing [VDSR] bring strong driver line-ups for Aston Martin’s three-car GTD class challenge. The British ultra-luxury performance brand wants to add a Rolex 24 at Daytona victory to the growing list of honours for the latest version of its most successful racing car.
After a hard fight for the IMSA GTD class title throughout 2025, former champion The Heart of Racing [THOR] returns with high speed. Works FIA World Endurance Championship [WEC] Valkyrie driver Tom Gamble (GBR) and rising Brazilian GT star Dudu Barrichello (BRA) lead the regular pairing. For the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the team adds 2021 IMSA GTD champion Zacharie Robichon (CDN) and works driver and CrowdStrike Spa 24 Hours winner Mattia Drudi (ITA).
VDSR will contest the full IMSA season in 2026 and returns with a refreshed driver line-up. Promising young American Rory van der Steur will again race alongside works driver Valentin Hasse Clot (FRA) during the regular season. For the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the team brings in new signings Sébastien Baud (FRA) and Carl Bennett (USA) to share its Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
Magnus Racing also returns for the Rolex 24 at Daytona and adds a new name to its roster. The squad has twice reached the Rolex 24 podium during its Aston Martin era, and it fields team owner John Potter (USA), Spencer Pumpelly (USA) and works driver Nicki Thiim (DEN). Twice IMSA GTD class champion Madison Snow (USA) completes the line-up.
The Aston Martin Vantage GT3 shares its mechanical architecture with the ultra-luxury Vantage road car. The car won the 24 Hours of Spa in 2024, the world’s most prestigious GT3-only event. Aston Martin builds the Vantage GT3 around its proven bonded aluminium chassis and powers it with a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine.
