Keating Switches to Aston Martin for GTE-Am Program

Ben Keating has switched GTE-Am brands with the former Team Project 1 Porsche driver joining Aston Martin squad TF Sport for the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Bronze-rated competitor Keating will team up with Felipe Fraga, who was one of his co-drivers in 2019-20, and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race winner Dylan Pereira.

The trio will share the No. 33 TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage GTE which is being sponsored by Utah-based automotive parts supplier 4 Horsemen Racing.

Keating is already lined up to pilot a GT3-spec TF Sport Aston in the Rolex 24 at Daytona next weekend alongside Richard Westbrook, Charlie Eastwood and Max Root.

Keating drove a Project 1 Porsche 911 RSR during his WEC debut last season and finished as part of the fifth-highest placed crew in the GTE-Am drivers’ standings.

His season with the German team, which is expected to return with two Porsches, included winning the first Bahrain round with Jeroen Bleekemolen and Larry ten Voorde.

“I am very excited about 2021,” said Keating. “The whole program, Daytona and WEC, came together at the same time and joining TF, along with Aston Martin meant that I had great options for many of my goals.

“I have always enjoyed working with [TF Sport owner] Tom Ferrier, and once 4 Horsemen Racing came along as a partner for the WEC program, it was an easy decision.

“This will be my seventh year in a row at Le Mans and it will be my seventh different car to drive. This sport, this series, and this class is so awesome!

“It is the only place I know of where a guy like me can compete on the same field, at the same time, in the same game with the best in the world, and still be crowned world champion, which is the ultimate goal for this season.”

TF Sport finished second in the 2019-20 WEC standings and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Am class race with Eastwood, Jonny Adam and Salih Yoluc.

The British team recently announced its LMP2 debut with Yoluc in the European Le Mans Series, while it is expected to announce a second Aston GTE-Am entry later today.

“There aren’t many bronze drivers in the world that can top Mr. Keating,” said Ferrier.

“He’s fast, fit and hungry. He brings two great teammates in Dylan and Felipe to the party.

“I hope with our car, team and drivers we can deliver the world title that eluded us in 2020 and repeat the Le Mans victory. Everyone at TF is really excited to get started.”