Aston Racers

Aston Martin has announced who will be driving its two Le Mans DBR9s, and there’s some big names set to pilot the Gulf-liveried GT1 racers.

In the 007-numbered car, coined from possibly the world’s most famous Aston driver, Mr Bond, will be Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Andrea Piccini and Kard Wendlinger. All have Le Mans experience although former F1 driver Frentzen has only competed in the famous race once, 16 years ago.

He refused to let his and Aston’s past successes lead to over-confidence, too: “The circuit is obviously very demanding, but the biggest challenge for us will be to stay fully focussed and concentrated over the course of the whole 24 hours.”

Car number 009 will be steered by the experienced David Brabham, competing in his 15th Le Mans, and fourth in the DBR9, alongside Antonio Garcia and Brit Darren Turner, who had this to say: “Winning the race last year has given us added confidence but it has probably also put even more pressure on, as now we’re the team to beat.

“I think we’ve got a very solid line-up: the key to success at Le Mans is always good preparation, which so far we’ve been able to achieve.”