Pauwels Named AMR Driver Academy Winner

Newly crowned GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup Silver Cup champion Kobe Pauwels has become the latest talent to graduate from the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy.

The 21-year-old from Diest, Belgium, is the eighth winner of the prize and joins a collection of recipients that includes works Aston Martin Heart of Racing Valkyrie drivers Ross Gunn – an IMSA GTD race winner – Roman De Angelis, the 2022 IMSA GTD champion, works driver and 2023 Le Mans Cup GT3 champion Valentin Hasse Clot, former British GT4 title winner Tom Canning, Spa 24 Hours class winner Romain Leroux, and, most recently, Pauwels’ 2025 GTWC Europe co-champion Jamie Day.

Pauwels, who clinched the GTWC Europe Sprint Cup title at the final round alongside Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage team-mate Day, achieved three class victories and stood on the podium five times during the season.

He stood out among the 23 candidates and excelled in all aspects of the Academy process – including an exhaustive post-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit, where he was assessed in a range of areas such as overall pace, driver feedback and systems analysis.

“I am very proud to be the winner of the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy,” said Pauwels.

“It’s already been a fantastic year with Vantage with the Silver Cup title in GT World Challenge Europe Sprint and this makes a great 2025 even better.

“With the support of one of sports car racing’s all-time great manufacturers, I am now able to take a big step towards my ambition to be a professional racing driver.

“I would like to thank the Aston Martin family for their support this year and into 2026.”

Competitors aged between 17 and 26 with Vantage GT3 and GT4 race programs in recognized championships are eligible for the academy. Selection has now begun to accept candidates for the 2026 edition.

“The Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy has earned a proud legacy of winners, and we are delighted to see Kobe become the latest graduate and to be able to support another incredibly talented young driver through the next phase of his professional racing career,” said Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s head of endurance motorsport.

“Since he began racing Vantage in 2024, Kobe has consistently displayed outstanding speed, determination and a willingness to self-improve.

“These are qualities that have helped previous AMR Driver Academy winners to stand out and were clearly noted among what was an incredibly high-quality group of drivers in 2025.

“These characteristics will be fundamental to his racing career going forwards and we are looking forward to actively being a part of that.”