New car news

Aston Martin Le Mans

21 May 2009 - 13:00

Three Astons for Le Mans

This year's 24 Hours of Le Mans just got 50 per cent better. Aston Martin has announced that it will run three LMP1 cars in this year's endurance race, which kicks off on June 13.

Three cars. We knew Aston would run a pair of cars at Le Mans, but the arrival of a third car is the orange icing on the Gulf blue cake.

It'll be numbered 009 – the other two cars are numbered 007 (which is apparently significant for some reason) and 008 – and driven by Anthony Davidson, Stuart Hall and Jos Verstappen.

That's a tidy driving line-up – Davidson is a former F1 racer who you might have heard doing Grand Prix commentary on Radio Five Live,  while Verstappen a veteran of over 100 Grands Prix and the most successful Dutch F1 driver in history. OK, that success was limited to a brace of podiums back in 1994, but hey, let’s not spoil the happy vibes.

Aston's early season form looks promising for Le Mans. The LMP1 car scored victory in Barcelona last month, admittedly against a field conspicuously lacking in diesel-powered Audis or Peugeots.

Ominously, both those teams have been right on the pace, too. Peugeot took victory in the Spa 1,000km race a week ago, while Audi’s R15 took the chequered flag at the Sebring 12 Hours.

Can the petrol-powered Aston dish out a thoroughly British kicking to the French and Germans? Top Gear will be in Le Mans to find out. Anyone joining us?

Back to the latest car news

Want to comment on this?

007 and 009 were always to be used on the original 2-car entry. Those numbers have been used by Aston for a few years nor in the GT1 class. 008 is the third, unexpected, entry.

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

There shouldn't be a 'nor' in that first post!

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

wow Mclaren is cool

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

LOVE it! But ill still go to the Nurburgring 24......

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

Aston Martin Gulf colours = WOW! Come on Aston, first of the petrols!

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

I gotta hand it to em, they really dominate Le Mans in those beasts

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

I'd love to join you in Le Mans Top Gear, but unless someone actually gives me a job to film the race it's unlikely. Which is a shame because I've always been going to it next year for the last 5 years. Waaah! It'll be a cracker this year, you watch.

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

Fastest of the petrols puts it in good stead, but that could only mean 3rd place. Did they add an extra one for good luck or something?

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

If I could get there, I would! But I'm glad the rumblings about the third car turned out to be true. Fingers crossed for a good showing for Aston Martin!

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

dudie! give le mans extra kick of energy. I didn't think that was possible! =)))

Report this comment

You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.

Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.

This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.

I want to report this comment for:

To post a comment: | Register

Advertisement