Pittard Returns to Walkenhorst Alongside Gunn, Chaves

Reigning Nürburgring 24 winner David Pittard will be reunited with Walkenhorst Motorsport for the German team’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup effort with Aston Martin.

The British driver will team up with fellow factory drivers Ross Gunn and Henrique Chaves as part of a three-car program for Walkenhorst’s first season since switching from BMW.

Pittard, who was announced as a full member of Aston’s factory roster late last year, began his GT3 career with the German squad, most notably at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

He also spent a season with the team in Endurance Cup driving alongside future BMW LMDh drivers Sheldon van der Linde, Nick Yelloly and Marco Wittmann.

Walkenhorst’s announcement means Aston Martin will be represented by at least two cars in the Pro category after Comtoyou Racing revealed a lineup consisting of Marco Sorensen, Nicki Thiim and Mattia Drudi on Thursday.

“Rejoining Walkenhorst feels like a full circle,” Pittard said.

“I made my GT3 debut with the team back in 2018, so it’s great to be back working with some old and new faces.

“I know from firsthand experience that Walkenhorst can win big races and championships for manufactures, such as the Spa 24 Hours, Intercontinental GT Challenge, and it is clear that these are our goals for 2024.

“Fanatec GT World is one of the most competitive championships in the world, so it is the ultimate test for the brand new Vantage GT3, where I think the car will be immediately competitive.

“It’s been a long winter, so I can’t wait for the lights to go green at Paul Ricard in April!”

Gunn, meanwhile, will dovetail his Endurance Cup commitments with a full season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with The Heart of Racing.

Chaves, another new member of the Aston Martin factory lineup, previously successfully competed in Sprint and Endurance Cup with the likes of Barwell Motorsport and Garage 59 and took a GTE-Am class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022.

The team’s second of three cars, entered into the Silver Cup, will be driven by former AMR Driver Academy graduate Romain Leroux, Lorcan Hanafin and Maxime Robin.

A third Aston Martin Vantage GT3, entered into Bronze Cup as announced in December, will see Bronze-rated Tim Creswick team up with Mex Jansen and Ben Green.

“We are proud of our line-up in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup,” said Walkenhorst Motorsport managing director Niclas Koenigbauer. ”

“Our Aston Martin Vantage GT3 will be driven by factory drivers and fast, talented youngsters plus Timothy Creswick, a fast gentleman driver who has already proven his abilities.

“The highlight of the season is of course the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, where we want to repeat our overall victory from 2018, but we are also confident of fighting for the title in the overall standings of the three classes!

“We are all already looking forward to the season opener in France at the beginning of April.”