Heart of Racing (HoR) has finalised their FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 driver lineup in the #27 Aston Martin Vantage, enlisting Ian James, Daniel Mancinelli, and Alex Riberas.
After taking part in selected rounds of the 2023 season, James – the team principal – will return with his two teammates, having all formerly competed in the #98 NorthWest AMR car.
As a trio, they finished six in the GTE Am category at last year’s Centenary Le Mans.
He said: “We’re going to continue the way we finished off last season.
“Alex, Dani and myself, I think we make a good team together.
“We learned a lot last year in WEC and we look forward to continuing that this season and with the introduction of the GT3 class see what we can achieve.”
In addition to the eight-round FIA WEC season this year, James will participate with Heart of Racing’s IMSA SportsCar Championship GTD commitments in North America, as will Riberas in non-conflicting IMSA-WEC rounds in the #23 GTD Pro car.
During the two upcoming race conflicts – on 11/12 May and 14 July – Endurance Cup driver Mario Farnbacher will instead join Ross Gunn in the #23.
Riberas said: “Competing in WEC is a dream come true.
“I always wanted to race in the full WEC championship season, and this will be my first time so it’s an honor and a privilege to be part of it.
“I think with Dani and Ian it’s a dream lineup. I cannot wait for Qatar to see how everything develops in the new class.
“It’s really hard to see and to expect where we’re going to be against the competition, but regardless, it’s a phenomenal project and really exciting for this new adventure.”
“I’m super happy and proud to be back in WEC with the Aston Martin Vantage LMGT3,” added Mancinelli, who debuted in the WEC last year.
“I had a great time last year with my mates Alex and Ian.
“Our bond both in and outside the car has been phenomenal, which reflects the successful spirit of HoR as being more than just a team, it’s a family.
“This year all of us already have some experience with all the procedures and race management, which will be even better.
“The last race in Bahrain we got a podium finish, ending in a great way the GTE era and HoR debut in the WEC. I’m very excited for the first race in Qatar in March.”
As one of 18 LMGT3 entries, the HoR crew will set about commencing the 2024 season at the official Prologue pre-season test on 24-25 February before the 1812 km season-opener, both at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit.
