Maxime Martin Launches GT4 Team

Photo: Aston Martin

Aston Martin Racing factory driver Maxime Martin is launching his own race team, which will campaign Aston Martin Vantage GT4s next year.

The Belgian, who is part of AMR’s full-season FIA World Endurance Championship GTE-Pro program, will continue his driving duties alongside side managing Martin Racing Team.

The new team will be based near Brussels’ Charleroi Airport and will enter cars in GT4 European Series and ADAC GT4 Germany.

“I have been thinking about starting my own team for a while,” said Martin. “I am nowhere near finished with my own driving career, but I wanted to begin a venture that can grow into the future and I wanted to be a part of something that allowed me to give back to the sport I’ve been involved with my entire life.

“GT racing, and in particular GT4, has become incredibly popular with young drivers coming into the sport, as well as enthusiastic gentleman racers.

“Myself and my business partner Thomas Matton, have the experience to develop this talent through this team and we have big ambitions for the future.”

Matton is a senior mechanic in BMW’s DTM program and has worked with Martin for 11 years. The pair will head up the team together.

After initially launching in European and German GT4 competition, the team has ambitions to expand into VLN and Creventic’s 24H Series.

“We commend Max for taking the brave and committed step to launch his own racing team and of course we wish him well,” said Aston Martin Racing president David King.

“As one of the fastest and most experienced GT drivers in the world, we’re also glad that he will continue to race with us in the FIA WEC!

“That he has chosen to begin life as a team owner with Aston Martin is an advocation of the exceptional level of performance the Vantage has displayed across multiple categories around the world in its first year.

“That it is still early in its lifecycle as a customer racing car, and yet so popular with customers, bodes well for the future of Aston Martin Racing.”

By competing in ADAC GT4 Germany, Martin Racing Team will follow in the footsteps of KÜS Team75 Bernhard, a similar team run by Martin’s fellow GT factory driver Timo Bernhard.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.