Aston Martin Racing has bolstered its formidable GT racing roster with the addition of Christian Krognes, a seasoned endurance racing specialist, ahead of the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe (GTWC Europe) season. The former Spa 24 Hours winner joins an already star-studded lineup as the British marque gears up for an action-packed year with the new Vantage GT3.
Christian Krognes Joins Aston Martin’s Works Driver Roster
Krognes, who clinched victory at the 2018 Spa 24 Hours, is set to compete in the Endurance Cup with Walkenhorst Motorsport in the #34 Vantage GT3. He will share the cockpit with fellow Aston Martin works drivers David Pittard and Henrique Chaves, forming a highly competitive trio. A master of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Krognes also holds the GT3 lap record on the track’s NLS layout.
“Christian’s performances over the years at the Nürburgring have ensured he has long been someone we’ve kept an eye on,” said Aston Martin Racing Director of Performance Gus Beteli. “He is super-fast, gives precise and consistent feedback, works well in a team environment, and is a safe pair of hands behind the wheel — key attributes for endurance racing at the highest level.”
Aston Martin’s Star-Studded Line-Up for GTWC Europe
Krognes is the latest in an impressive works driver lineup that features former FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) GT champions Marco Sørensen and Nicki Thiim. Mattia Drudi, a past Spa 24 Hours winner, will compete across WEC, GTWC Europe, and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Chaves, the 2021 GTWC Europe Pro-Am champion, and Pittard, a Nürburgring 24 Hours winner, will join Krognes in the GTWC Europe campaign.
Other notable names include Valentin Hasse Clot, who will compete in WEC, IMSA, and the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), as well as Jonny Adam, the most successful British GT driver of all time, who is aiming for a record-breaking fifth title. Aston Martin’s longest-serving works driver, Darren Turner, will continue his 21st season, racing with The Heart of Racing (THOR) in GT World Challenge America.
Jessica Hawkins Steps Up to GTWC Europe with Comtoyou Racing
Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins will take on the GTWC Europe Endurance Cup with Comtoyou Racing. Having already gained experience in the British GT Championship, Hawkins is eager to take on this next challenge.
Hawkins will join a strong squad, as Comtoyou Racing returns to GTWC Europe with three entries, including the 2024 Spa 24 Hours-winning Pro class line-up. The team will also field Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy winner Jamie Day in its Endurance Cup Silver class entry alongside Belgian drivers Kobe Pauwels and Matisse Lismont.
Walkenhorst Motorsport Expands GTWC Europe Campaign
In addition to the Endurance Cup entry, Walkenhorst Motorsport will compete in the Sprint Cup with a Pro class campaign. The team will run a second Vantage GT3 in the Silver class, featuring AMR Academy graduate Romain Leroux alongside Mateo Villagomez and Oliver Söderström.
A Promising Season Ahead
With a packed roster of talented drivers and proven teams, Aston Martin is poised for a strong 2025 GT racing campaign. The season kicks off with the Official Prologue at Circuit Paul Ricard on March 10-11, followed by the opening round at the same venue on April 11-13. Motorsport enthusiasts can look forward to thrilling on-track battles as the Vantage GT3 aims to dominate the European GT racing scene.
