Aston Martin Names Candidates for ’23 Driver Academy Prize

Aston Martin Racing has named the 22 young drivers who will vie for the prize of support from the manufacturer next year as part of the AMR Driver Academy scheme.

The group of candidates will be assessed by Aston Martin Racing over the course of this year in a process that will select one standout driver to receive financial support for their 2023 race programs, as well as guidance from the factory.

All but one of this year’s intake are driving Aston Martin Vantage GT4s, with the only Aston Martin Vantage GT3 driver being Theo Nouet who is racing in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup.

Seven candidates are competing in the GT4 European Series: Konstantin Lachenauer, Gus Bowers, Thijmen Nabuurs, Andy Noah, Hugo Conde, Akhil Rabindra and Kenton Koch.

Josh Miller and Jamie Day are sharing a GT4 car in the Intelligent Money British GT Championship while Loris Cabirou, Ewen Hachez and Hugo Bac are lining up in FFSA French GT.

Nick Hancke and Jacob Riegel are both driving for the Speed Monkeys team in DTM Trophy.

Phil Doerr, Romain Leroux (ADAC GT4 Germany), Emil Heyerdahl (NLS), Julien Darras and Clemence Rouceau (both International GT Open) complete the 22-driver roster.

The judging panel consists of AMR managing director John Gaw, Head of AMR Partner Racing Huw Tasker, AMR Head of Performance Gustavo Beteli, plus factory drivers Valentin Hasse-Clot and Darren Turner.

Hasse-Clot was selected for the 2021 AMR Driver Academy Prize, which is now entering its fifth edition.

It started out as the Evolution Academy in 2015, granting a factory drive to Ross Gunn, before returning in 2019 as a way to provide an opportunity for young drivers.

Tom Canning won AMR’s support package for the 2020 season, followed by Hasse-Clot and Roman De Angelis in the following years.

“The Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy is an excellent tool for assessing the level of talent within our partner ranks and is the ideal way for the brand to give back to the sport in a constructive and meaningful way,” said Tasker.

“As our former winners have proven, and I’m sure Roman will too, this initiative holds enormous value to us, to the drivers who participate and the wider sport in general.

“We hope to continue this tradition as we look to support our partners across the GT racing around the world.”

The AMR Driver Academy is open to drivers aged between 17 and 26 who have a full-season program in a Vantage GT3 or GT4 car.

The judging process takes into account several parameters including pace, consistency, fitness and technical feedback. It also includes physical training sessions and media coaching.