For the fourth time since 2010, Young Driver AMR will take part in the most famous endurance in the world at the 24 hours of Le Mans. Kristian Poulsen, David Heinemeier Hansson and Nicki Thiim will drive the Aston Martin Racing entered Young Driver AMR-Aston Martin Vantage GTE in the GTE-AM-class.
Poulsen, Heinemeier Hansson and Thiim have already tasted success earlier in the season at Silverstone, when the trio took a class victory.
Poulsen is the most experienced and successful driver of the Young Driver AMR trio at Le Mans: He won the LMP2 class on his Le Mans debut in 2009 and competed three times at Le Mans. Heinemeier Hansson finished second in LMP2 at his second appearance at “La Sarthe” last year. Thiim, reigning winner of the 24 hours of the Nürburgring, makes his Le Mans debut with Young Driver AMR this year.
The GTE-Am is the biggest and most competitive class on the grid with 19 cars of the overall 55 entries in the race. Le Mans is not only the most important race in its sport, but also rewards the winner with double championship points for the FIA WEC.
“This year, the GTE-AM is the biggest class at Le Mans,” says Young Driver AMR team principal Jan Struve. “We really need a 110% job of the team and the drivers to be successful at the end.”
For the drivers, they can barely contain their excitement with Thiim describing his emotions as “feeling like a kid, that gets his first bike,” before adding: “I followed this race for years and also my father raced at Le Mans when I was two years old. Everybody tells me what a great event Le Mans and I really can’t wait to experience it myself.”
Teammate Poulsen is feeling the same way: “This year our class at Le Mans will be epic. We have 18 competitors and race in the biggest class of the race.”