Aston Martin Racing completes 2011 season with sixth at Zhuhai

Aston Martin Racing rounded off the 2011 motorsport season with third position in the unofficial petrol category at the Six Hours of Zhuhai, having finished sixth overall in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup finale.

The Gulf-liveried DBR1-2 improved on its grid position at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China after qualifying seventh yesterday. Despite dropping a position in the early phase of the race, the V12-powered LMP1 racer performed reliably and consistently to score sixth overall after 239 laps of the 2.68-mile circuit.

The encouraging result follows a run of success for the 007 DBR1-2, which won the American Le Mans Series qualifier at Laguna Seca in September and finished third overall at Petit Le Mans, the penultimate Intercontinental Le Mans Cup round, in October.

Stefan Mücke (D), Harold Primat (CH) and Andy Meyrick (GBR) piloted the DBR1-2, which shares its base 6.0-litre engine, including the cylinder block and heads, with Aston Martin's V12-powered road cars.

Mücke, who set the qualifying time yesterday, said: "After the success we had at Laguna Seca and Petit Le Mans, it's a shame to have not been the fastest petrol car this weekend. The DBR1-2 has been brilliant to drive again, even though it wasn't suited to this track.

"It's been a pleasure to drive the V12 car in the second half of the season. I'm proud that we've been able to give all the Aston Martin Racing fans something to cheer about."

Aston Martin Racing Team Principal Howard-Chappell added: "We had hopes of winning the petrol category this weekend, but ultimately our car wasn't suited to the nature of the Zhuhai circuit. We know that the DBR1-2 and our drivers are capable of winning elsewhere, though.

"Stefan, Harold and Andy have been strong all weekend, and the car and team performed well to top off a successful latter part of the 2011 season."

Gulf AMR Middle East flew the flag for Aston Martin Racing in the LM GTE AM category, finishing fifth in class with its V8-powered Vantage GT2.

With the 2011 season having drawn to a close, Aston Martin Racing will switch its attention to next year’s campaign. The team will confirm its programme for the 2012 season in due course.

AMR