Heart of Racing Takes Over Second Aston LMGT3 Entry

Photo: Michele Scudiero/Drew Gibson Photography

Heart of Racing Team will expand into a two-car FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 operation, having taken over the second Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO entry from Racing Spirit of Leman for the 2026 season.

The LMGT3 operation, run under an operational and technical alliance with Prodrive, will again feature team principal Ian James in the No. 27 car, with Gray Newell stepping up on to the world’s stage as the designated Bronze-rated driver in the new No. 23 entry.

Newell, a veteran of GT4 competition, graduated to full-time GT3 racing this year in GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, teamed with Darren Turner in a Pro-Am-entered Vantage GT3 Evo, scoring multiple podium finishes in the SRO America-run series.

The 28-year-old son of team owner Gabe Newell took part in last month’s Bahrain rookie test in the team’s then-single Aston LMGT3 entry.

“I was very surprised but honored to be asked to race for The Heart of Racing team in WEC in 2026,” said Newell.

“When I was given the chance to drive in the rookie test, I had a sense that this might be the long-term goal, but I was not anticipating being moved up to WEC so fast.

“I feel a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. For the team to be placing this level of trust in me is an immense honor and I’m ready to meet the moment. There is a lot to learn, but Ian and the team have always known exactly how far to push me, and I trust their judgement completely.

“Time for a new chapter.”

So far, James and Newell are the only confirmed drivers in the team’s LMGT3 effort.

“Gray was impressive during the rookie test, where he set times that would likely have given him the chance to fight in Hyperpole for the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain,” said James.

“That said, it’s a big step up for a rookie to race in WEC and there will be a lot for him to learn. We will do all we can to make that transition successful and to continue to help Gray to build on the potential he has shown so far in his racing career.

“As for me, WEC represents some unfinished business; we will focus hard on improving on this year’s fourth position in the LMGT3 championship and to have another crack at standing on the 24 Hours of Le Mans podium.”

The 2026 season will mark Vantage’s 15th consecutive year in WEC competition.

Unchanged Lineup for Team’s Pair of Aston Martin Valkyries

The American squad will enter its second season of Hypercar competition with an unchanged driver lineup for its pair of Aston Martin Valkyries, meanwhile.

It was also confirmed on Monday that Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble will return as co-drivers to the No. 007 entry, with Alex Riberas and Marco Sorensen aboard the No. 009 Aston.

As was the case this year, the team’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship drivers, Ross Gunn (No. 007) and Roman De Angelis (No. 009) will complete the rosters for the long-distance endurance rounds, including the season-opening Qatar 1812km, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“Throughout 2025, as the program grew and developed, we achieved a great deal as a team, but we also learned a considerable amount,” said James. “The drivers as a group delivered over and above what we asked from them.

“That included a lot of work at the very beginning that required them to dig deep.

“But it also means that we have generated a hugely valuable hub of understanding and knowledge about Valkyrie that will be valuable as we move into season two.

“As we continue to understand more about how to exploit the competitive nature of Valkyrie, it’s a great opportunity for all our drivers to use what they have learned and push on to achieve more in 2026, and we have every faith that they will.”

The Valkyrie scored a best finish of fifth in WEC competition at the 6 Hours of Fuji, while the V12-powered car also led a WEC race for the first time on merit at the season-ending 8 Hours of Bahrain.

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