Aston Martin Racing returns to ADAC GT Masters

• PROsport Performance plan to enter two Aston Martin Vantage GT3s
• Deployment of two factory drivers provided by Aston Martin
• PROsport intend to field the Aston Martin GT4 in the ADAC GT4 Germany series

Munich. Aston Martin are planning a comeback in the ADAC GT Masters next year. The official partner of the traditional British sports car manufacturer is PROsport Performance. The Eifel-based outfit plans to field two new Aston Martin Vantage GT3s. To this end, Aston Martin Racing and the racing team founded in 2006 by Christoph Esser have agreed a long-term collaboration. Already familiar to fans for its exploits in the ADAC TCR Germany, the team is also keen to contest the new ADAC GT4 Germany series with two new Aston Martin Vantage GT4s. Both the ADAC GT Masters and ADAC GT4 Germany commence the 2019 season on the weekend of 26th - 28th April at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Tickets for the ADAC GT Masters 2019 can be purchased in advance online at adac.de/motorsport.

"The introduction of the new Vantage to GT3 and GT4 regulations is the right time for Aston Martin Racing to expand its motorsport activities," says David King, President of Aston Martin Racing. "Germany is a core market for sports cars and furthermore a motorsport stronghold for GT racing cars. Therefore, we are very pleased to welcome PROsport Performance as the official Race Partner of Aston Martin Racing. Christoph Esser and his team have great experience and great ambition. This is a good basis to be successful in the ADAC GT Masters with GT3 and GT4 as well as in the GT4 European Series."

Team principal Christoph Esser, whose team has won the Honda Rookie Challenge in the ADAC TCR Germany this season, is looking forward to the new project. "For us, it is an honour to be allowed to compete with and for Aston Martin," says Christoph Esser, Managing Director of PROsport Performance GmbH. "At the same time, it is a big challenge, but we like to face it and approach it with great motivation. This strong commitment from Aston Martin Racing represents the logical next step in the development of PROsport Performance. We look forward to a close partnership and can't wait to get the new Vantage onto the racetrack."

The GT3 sports car, which has been completely redeveloped, made its race debut in October. It is powered by a four-litre V8 turbo engine pumping out around 500 horsepower. PROsport Performance will be taking delivery of its first two race vehicles in early 2019 in order to begin the test programme as soon as possible. The four drivers for the ADAC GT Masters have not been decided yet. However, one of the Vantage GT3 cockpits will be shared by two Aston Martin works drivers.

"Two factory drivers mean a high level of driving quality in the hard-fought ADAC GT Masters and also support the important know-how transfer," explains team principal Christoph Esser. "The driver market is right now gaining momentum at the end of the season, so with our new commitment we have a good chance of winning strong driver pairings that are capable of making this project a success together with us." PROsport Performance will also be part of the AMR Young Driver Academy 2019.

Aston Martin already competed in the ADAC GT Masters in 2007 and 2008, as well as in 2012 and 2013, and won two races during this time - most recently in 2012 at the Sachsenring. In addition to contesting the ADAC GT Masters, PROsport Performance are planning to deploy two Aston Martin Vantage GT4s in the new ADAC GT4 Germany.