Young Driver Steps Down from Aston Martin WEC Program

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Despite winning the GTE-Pro title last year, Young Driver AMR has cut its support of the No. 95 Aston Martin Vantage GTE in the FIA World Endurance Championship for 2017, the Danish squad announced on Monday.

The Jan Struve-led organization, which has campaigned Aston Martins in top-level GT competition since 2010, will be taking a sabbatical from the sport, although drivers Nicki Thiim and Marco Sorensen will continue at the wheel of the No. 95 Aston, now under the full backing of AMR.

“Our well-known and rapid Aston Martin Vantage GTE will continue in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Aston Martin Racing, but Young Driver AMR will take a sabbatical,” Struve said.

“As Aston Martin Racing is safe to continue with our car in the 2017 FIA WEC and our World Championship-winning Danes Marco Sorensen and Nicki Thiim will both return with them, we felt it’s time for a break.

“I will continue to attend selected FIA WEC rounds this year but will step back from a managing role this season.”

Young Driver had entered GT1, GT3 and GTE versions of the Aston Martin since its inception, having achieved two World Championship titles and GTE-Am class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014.

A number of well-known Danes have come through the team over the years, including David Heinemeier Hansson and the late Allan Simonsen.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John