Aston Martin Vantage GT3 gets podium finish anew in Sebring

MANILA: The Aston Martin Vantage GT3 was able to record another podium finish as partner team Heart of Racing finished third in the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring on March 20, 2021 — the second consecutive year that the Seattle-based team was able to finish on the podium at the Florida venue. 

The #23 Heart of Racing Vantage, which is driven by Aston Martin Racing works driver Ross Gunn (GB), Roman de Angelis (CN), and the team principal Ian James (GB), raced at the front of the GTD class for the rest of the race, having rapidly worked their way up from P9 at the beginning. 

A seamless run through the event with solid stints from both his teammates enabled Gunn to reclaim the lead when he got in his car for his final race, eventually gaining the third spot as the pit stops cycled through.

However, a late Full Course Yellow with 30 minutes left to pursue the action-packed race meant that the Englishman would have to overcome tremendous pressure in the final phases. 

This was only resolved when a competing Porsche was penalized on the penultimate lap, allowing Gunn to record his first IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship podium.

Gunn expressed, “This was an awesome result and the team thoroughly deserved it. We looked strong at Daytona back in January, and we’ve performed well all day again today, so the Aston Martin Vantage was good for this result. The more we race it over here in the US, the faster it seems to get, so let’s hope it can land a victory soon!”

James added, “Great day here at Sebring to get consecutive 12 Hour podiums for the Heart of Racing Aston Martin. I’m super proud of all the team. Roman and Ross drove really well and everyone executed all race long. This puts us in a good points position heading into the next race and leaves us excited for the rest of the season.”

Aston Martin Racing President David King said, “The Sebring 12 Hours is a grueling event and tough for drivers, cars and teams, as it proved again this year, so to finish on the podium is an excellent performance from our partners Heart of Racing. It’s also another demonstration of the Aston Martin Vantage GT3’s growing competitiveness as a customer-based GT car in the USA and fully justifies our commitment to customer racing around the world in 2021.”

The next race in the IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship will be on May 14 to 16, 2021 at Mid-Ohio.

Photos from Aston Martin

Also read: Aston Martin to deploy Vantage, DBX to F1 as safety, medical cars