D’station Racing has announced triple FIA World Endurance Champion Marco Sorensen along with Erwan Bastard and Clement Mateu in their #777 LMGT3 driver lineup for the 2024 season.
The Aston Martin factory driver first drove for the British automotive manufacturer in 2015, and so will continue his predominantly AMR-driven WEC career for D’station Racing.
Bastard will make his debut into the WEC as the first year in which the LMGT3 regulations will succeed the former, decorated era of LMGTE.
Mateu will also take on his maiden WEC campaign, serving as the team’s bronze driver for the eight-round 2024 season, with exception to the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15-16 June whereby Satoshi Hoshino is expected to take Mateu’s place.
Sorensen said: “After a year away from the WEC, I am very excited to be back in the championship.
“We have won it 3 times in the past, so it is no secret that I like this championship.
“It will be an interesting season with the new Aston Martin and a lot to learn, but I am sure we will have a good go at it with my new teammates Clement and Erwan.
“I am looking forward to working with them.”
“I am very honoured to join D’station Racing and Aston Martin this year,” added Bastard.
“The World Endurance Championship is a childhood dream I have been working towards for a very long time.
“To finally have the chance and to be a part of the WEC with a manufacturer who wrote history within the championship is an unbelievable way to do it.
“I cannot wait to get to Qatar and hit the track with Marco and Clément next month.”
Mateu concluded: “I am very excited to enter my first season of the World Endurance Championship with D’station Racing.
“Thank you to Hoshino San and [Managing director Tomonobu] Fujii San for this opportunity to compete in the top-tier of international endurance racing.
“I am also happy that it will be in an Aston Martin as it shares a special history with my family business, HEXIS.
“In 2011, HEXIS AMR was crowned the FIA GT1 World Champion in the DBR9 so it is wonderful to race together again in 2024 with their latest GT3.
“I am looking forward to this new challenge.”
The LMGT3 class is comprised of 18 entries with nine manufacturers represented across renowned GT3 machinery.
Along with Heart of Racing, D’station will aim for a more competitive WEC season, this time in an Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
They finished off the 2023 campaign with second place at the 8 Hours of Bahrain season-finale, which was their only podium after a spree of finishes at 10th or lower.
The 2024 season will commence next month with a two-day pre-season test known as the Prologue on 24-25 February, followed by the 1812 km season opener on 2 March; both of which will take place in Qatar.
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