Stars join Aston attack

Former grand prix drivers Jos Verstappen and Anthony Davidson will drive for Aston Martin Racing in this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

Verstappen, Davidson and the rising British sports car driver Stuart Hall are the final signings by the Prodrive-run AMR team for its three-car squad of Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 coupés. They join a line-up that includes Tomas Enge, Stefan Mucke and Darren Turner.

Verstappen, who won the LMP2 class at Le Mans last year with the Van Merksteijn Porsche team, said: “I’m excited to be joining Aston Martin Racing for such a legendary event. I said to myself that I would only do Le Mans if it was with a professional team at the very top level and in AMR I have certainly found that. I’m sure this is going to be a fantastic and memorable experience.”

Davidson, who raced at Le Mans in a Prodrive Ferrari in 2003, said: “I know the team and its capabilities extremely well from the past, and I’m convinced that there is nobody better prepared to tackle all the challenges which Le Mans will present us. I’m aiming for us to be the quickest petrol car there and hopefully we can get in among the diesels as well.”

Davidson and Hall tested for AMR at the new Algarve Motor Park in Portugal last month. Verstappen was due to get his first taste of the Lola-Aston at Monza at the end of May.

AMR had yet to announce the final driver combinations at press time.