Drudi to Drive Valkyrie in Bahrain Rookie Test
Photo: Nick Dungan/Aston Martin
Mattia Drudi will drive the Aston Martin Valkyrie for the first time at this weekend’s FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test in Bahrain, it has been confirmed.
The Italian, who forms part of Heart of Racing Team’s LMGT3 lineup in the world championship, will get behind the wheel of the V12-powered LMH car the day after the season-ending 8 Hours of Bahrain.
Drudi, who previously told Sportscar365 that the Hypercar category has been ‘one of his targets,’ is coming towards the end of his first season in WEC and his second as an Aston Martin factory driver.
He won the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa last year and took a class pole for the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this year aboard the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo.
“Of course, I’m super excited to drive a car that is already iconic in the Hypercar class, even though it is only its first season racing in WEC,” said Drudi.
“I’ve been closely following the progress of Valkyrie throughout the championship and it was fantastic to see it record a strong result at Fuji.
“It will be interesting for me to drive straight after a race weekend so I can compare my data with what’s been collected during the event.
“It will also be a challenge to get used to a car that will be completely new for me.
“I must thank The Heart of Racing team for giving me the chance to drive the Valkyrie in the Rookie Test. It will be the perfect way to end my first WEC season with Aston Martin.”
Heart of Racing team principal Ian James added: James added: “Mattia thoroughly deserves this opportunity.
“Having raced alongside him all season, I’ve been able to witness his exceptional talent and I’m really interested to see what he makes of Valkyrie.”
Additionally, Aston Martin and Heart of Racing have confirmed that Gray Newell will drive the team’s LMGT3 car for the test.
Newell competed with the team in GT World Challenge America powered by AWS this past season, scoring three Pro-Am class podiums alongside factory driver Darren Turner.
Lacorte, Zagazeta Join Vista AF Corse for Rookie Test
Vista AF Corse, meanwhile, has announced that it will welcome Nicola Lacorte and Matias Zagazeta for the test to drive its Ferrari 296 GT3.
Lacorte, son of Cetilar Racing boss Roberto Lacorte, raced in the FIA Formula 3 Championship this year but has also already competed aboard Ferrari GT3 machinery in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The 18-year-old shared driving duties with his father at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and later returned for the Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Meanwhile, Peruvian racer Zagazeta is set to test the 296 GT3 for the second time in a matter of weeks, having previously topped the charts at the European Le Mans Series rookie test at Portimao late last week.
Source: Sports Car 365