Abra Named Aston Martin Racing Factory Driver

Aston Martin Racing announced Monday it has signed Richard Abra to join its factory driver lineup for the 2014 season.

The 25-year-old British driver, who raced in British GT last season in a Barwell-run MP Motorsport Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, will race in the Blancpain Endurance Series and Avon Tyres British GT Championship with MP Motorsport. The team will be run by Prodrive this season.

“Signing as an AMR driver and joining Jonny Adam and other WEC drivers is a big moment for me in my career,” Abra said. “They’ve given me a great opportunity to prove myself, in what is their tenth year of racing.”

“We have a busy schedule in the MP Motorsport Vantage GT3, starting this weekend at Monza, racing in the Blancpain Endurance Series. I’m then going straight to Oulton Park the following weekend for the first British GT round with long-term team mate Mark Poole.”

“I’m looking forward to working with the factory and develop my career further. I have a lot to learn but there’s no better place to learn it than here. I’m working with some very experienced people this year and I’m confident we can get some good results.”

Aston Martin Racing signed Abra as part of its youth development selection program as it looks to its future in GT racing.

“It’s important for AMR to be seeking to identify and develop the professional drivers of the future who can follow in the steps of the likes of Darren Turner and Stefan Mucke,” Aston Martin Racing Managing Director John Gaw said.

“It’s great to see Richard Abra join Jonny Adam as a factory signed driver for 2014, as the team embark on an its most extensive program in the 10 years of AMR. A full program in British GT and Blancpain this year, in a car that will be run and engineered by the team at Aston Martin Racing, will give Richard a real opportunity to embed himself within the team and show his potential in all areas that are now required from a professional driver.”