Mantella Parts Ways With AWA

AWA has announced that Anthony Mantella has stepped back from his drive at the team following the first two rounds of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

Mantella had been named as part of the full season lineup for AWA’s No. 17 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the GTD class alongside factory driver Nico Varrone, taking part in both the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

However, the Bronze-rated Canadian has now called time on his association with AWA, which also included a full season with the Toronto-based outfit in LMP3 last year.

It leaves the status of the No. 17 car unclear going forward, although AWA at least confirmed its sister No. 13 car, driven by Orey Fidani and Matt Bell, will be present for next month’s Long Beach round.

A short statement posted by AWA on social media read: “Anthony Mantella has elected to step away from the GTD program at this moment in time.

“The No. 13 car will continue to proceed as planned and will be present at the upcoming round in Long Beach.”

Mantella’s split with AWA comes after a troubled start to the year, as the No. 17 Corvette was struck by electrical trouble at Daytona and then an alternator failure at Sebring, retiring on both occasions.

The No. 13 entry enjoyed better fortune as it claimed a ninth-place finish in class at Sebring, having also failed to finish at Daytona.