The Vantage LMGT3 again tamed ahead of WEC finale from Bahrain

The concluding round of Season 12 of the FIA World Endurance Championship is fact approaching this weekend as we see out the inaugural season of the new LMGT3 class as well as look forward to what’s just around the corner.

The race results from last time out at Fuji Speedway back in mid-September final saw the class championship aspirations of both the Heart of Racing and D’Station Racing team’s firmly put to rest but both teams will be looking to finish upon something of a high for varying reasons.

No changes are expected from within either the #27 Heart of Racing or #777 D’Station Racing Aston Martin Racing Vantage LMGT3’s as Ian James/Daniel Mancinelli and Alex Riberas team up again within the American HoRT entry whilst Clement Mateu/Erwan Bastard and Marco Sorensen will race out what might well be the final WEC round for the Japanese D’Station Racing entry as they look more homeward for their 2025 campaigns – that has yet to be confirmed by the team though.

What is certainly changing within both Aston Martins is their Balance of Performance requirements as Vantage LMGT3 sees both base weight increases (over and above any success ballast) as well as power decreases all ahead of an eight-hour finale around the widespread desert circuit of Bahrain within their eighteen strong class.

Whilst the D’Station Racing team ponder upon what maybe next for them and where, the Heart of Racing already have that answer as they continue to develop their much awaiting Aston Martin Valkyrie which they will run in both the FIA WEC Hypercar and IMSA GTP classes next season as well as a smaller LMGT3/GTD package in either series.

Earlier photographs of the new car being tested around both Silverstone and Donington Park were recently updated with video of it testing at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta ahead of its global debut at the Roar before the 24 test at Daytona in early 2025.

Despite the class championship having already been claimed by the #92 Manthey PureRacing Porsche, the #27 crew presently rest P4 within the LMGT3 Drivers Championship and in easy reach of the other two teams above if the race results go in their favour whilst Erwan and Sorensen sit P8 (Mateu P12 thanks to him missing Le Mans in favour of team boss Satoshi Hoshino) so the best that these guys can hope for is progression up to about fourth with the same degree of racing fortune being received.

Track action begins on Thursday with Free Practice 1 and 2 before Free Practice 3 and qualifying later on Friday before the eight-hour race being waved off at 14:00hrs local on Saturday.

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