Aston Martin Vantage, the most successful racing car in the history of the British ultra-luxury performance brand, claimed its sixth podium finish of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship in the season finale – the 6 Hours of Monza – in Italy, on Sunday.
The Heart of Racing Team [THOR] drivers Gray Newell (USA), Dudu Barrichello (BRA) and Jonny Adam (GBR) stormed through in an incident-packed race, after being hit by a rival in the first hour and dropping to the back of the field. They then fought their way past a highly competitive field to secure second place, even narrowly missing out on a famous maiden victory for the crew in a tense final hour’s racing.
The result means the #23 THOR team ended the season fifth in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Teams, while Newell and Adam finished seventh in the Drivers’ points, underlining a superb debut season for the American rookie, who claimed three podiums, including third place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Newell made a strong start in Vantage, Aston Martin’s most focused sportscar built around the proven bonded aluminium chassis, and powered by its fearsome twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine. But he was punted off by a rival 40 minutes into the race. Recovering from last he began the recovery drive, handing over to Barrichello in ninth position. The Brazilian then unleashed the first half of an extraordinary stint by racing through the field to third before pitting. Adam then maintained the #23 Vantage’s position in the top four as the chaotic race moved from one Full Course Yellow period to the next.
Barrichello, who set the fastest time in qualifying only to be denied by a track limits penalty on Saturday, then set about chasing down the leaders. First, he dispatched the second-placed BMW after a ferocious battle. Then he gave chase to the leading Porsche, closing them down with ease, while also keeping one eye on his critical fuel levels. Following his final energy stop, Barrichello ultimately emerged pursuing the Porsche for the victory, and this chase went right to the flag as he ran in his rival’s slipstream through the last two laps.
“It was a positive day for the team, and everybody did a very good job,” said Barrichello. “I tried my best and the car was super-fast. I wish we could have got the win to close off the year, but this isn’t a bad way to end it! I am so happy with this team, and Aston Martin, and the Heart of Racing has given me such a golden opportunity, hopefully I did enough to make the team proud.”
Newell added: “It’s gratifying to feel like I’m progressing. We’ve had some really good results. Today was great. I got rear-ended and sent into the gravel, but we managed to stay on the lead lap and made back some positions before handing over to the other guys, who did an amazing job. Dudu was an absolute missile, and I can’t say enough good things about him. I feel very lucky to be a part of this amazing team and staff.”
“What a finish,” said Adam. “Dudu was on fire all weekend and that last stint was special. I am delighted for the #23 car and crew. This year was always a learning year, being Gray’s first in WEC, so to get three podiums including one at Le Mans, and finish fifth in the championship was more than I could have expected. As a team, we’ve worked well together and it’s been a joy to work with everyone this year.”
Team principal Ian James (GBR) finished tenth in the sister #27 Vantage GT3, alongside co-drivers Mattia Drudi (ITA) and Zacharie Robichon (CAN). They were also in the hunt for victory until they were hit by another car.
“To see the #23 car on the podium was a joy,” said James. “What a strong year that car has had. It was awesome to see those guys up there and to see what they have achieved this year. Gray has had an extraordinary season. We always said this was a developmental year, but he started by setting the bar really high and has just kept improving. He’s been exceptional, he’s learning and he’s only going to get better. On another note, I would like to say thank you to everyone at Aston Martin Racing and the Heart of Racing Team, for an outstanding first-class effort all-season long.”
Vantage finished on the podium six times in the 2026 FIA WEC, winning the LMGT3 class in the Lone Star Le Mans race at the Circuit of the Americas [COTA], in Austin, TX (USA) with the #27 THOR Aston Martin. The #23 also finished third there, as well as at Le Mans, and second place at Monza. James, Robichon and Drudi finished second in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) and 6 Hours of Fuji (JPN) en route to seventh in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Teams.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport, said: “Aston Martin Vantage’s pace was ever-present throughout the 2026 FIA WEC season and helped to underpin a highly competitive campaign for our partner the Heart of Racing Team. But for a little more luck, the team could have enjoyed more than one victory this season and had the pace and potential to be true championship contenders. We will take these positives into the winter, regroup and come back stronger in 2027.”
The racing doesn’t stop here this year for Vantage, as The Heart of Racing’s two Aston Martins, as well as those of AMR partners Car Blanche by RSL and Blackthorn, head to Paul Ricard, in France, next weekend (13-15 November) for the opening two rounds of the 2026/27 Winter Le Mans Series.
