Biplab Das 
As the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) draws to a close at the Bahrain International Circuit, in Sakhir, an extraordinary chapter in motorsport history reaches its conclusion. The renowned Vantage GTE, the most successful GT racing car in Aston Martin’s history, will make its final appearance in contemporary motorsport. This remarkable farewell commemorates a storied racing career spanning 11 years and 85 races, featuring an astounding 11 world titles, 52 individual victories, and five class triumphs at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
A Legendary Journey
The journey of the Vantage GTE began in 2012, marking an era filled with success and accomplishments. Its debut at the inaugural WEC race, the 12 Hours of Sebring in the USA, saw Aston Martin Racing’s Darren Turner (GBR), Stefan Mücke (DEU), and Adrian Fernandez (MEX) secure a podium finish in third place. Following this, the Vantage V8 achieved its maiden victory at the season-ending race at the Shanghai International Circuit in China, with Turner and Mücke behind the wheel.
In 2013, British duo Jamie Campbell-Walter and Stuart Hall clinched the GTE Am drivers’ crown, marking Vantage’s first WEC title. Subsequently, the Vantage secured further successes, including a memorable Le Mans win in 2014. Kristian Poulsen, David Heinemeier Hansson, and Nicki Thiim achieved GTE Am class victory at Le Mans, further establishing the Vantage’s reputation.
In 2016, Thiim and Marco Sørensen captured the GTE Pro class world championship crown. This accomplishment was complemented by other victories and championship titles, contributing to an illustrious racing history for the Vantage GTE.
The next generation of the Vantage GTE, a prototype version derived from the critically acclaimed Aston Martin V8 Vantage sportscar, was introduced in 2018-19 during the WEC ‘Super Season.’ This modern rendition of the Vantage GTE set new standards for GT racing, with successes such as Maxime Martin, Alex Lynn, and Harry Tincknell’s GTE Pro class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Aston Martin was crowned FIA GT Manufacturers’ World Champions, while TF Sport’s Salih Yoluç, Charlie Eastwood, and Jonny Adam achieved a victory in the GTE Am class.
Aston Martin celebrated another GTE Am victory at Le Mans in 2022 as TF Sport once again triumphed. This incredible year saw Ben Keating and Sørensen becoming FIA GTE Am Drivers’ World Champions, and TF Sport secured the Teams’ crown. Aston Martin’s contribution to GTE Am victories surpassed any other manufacturer in WEC history, with 32 wins to their name as they approach the end of this racing era.
A Look to the Future
This farewell to the Vantage GTE marks the end of an unforgettable era in sportscar racing. The next chapter for Aston Martin in the WEC includes their return to the top class with the Valkyrie hypercar in 2025. In the coming years, Aston Martin aims to continue its legacy in the world of motorsport, both in the hypercar class and the new LMGT3 class.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Racing, expressed the brand’s gratitude to everyone who contributed to the Vantage GTE’s illustrious career. The company acknowledges that the upcoming period in sportscar racing is intensely exciting, and they intend to play their role in it. For now, they invite all to appreciate the final flourish of a remarkable category that has given so much to Aston Martin.
The BAPCO 8 Hours of Bahrain will commence on Saturday, 4 November, under the floodlights, with practice and qualifying sessions taking place on Thursday and Friday.
This weekend, motorsport enthusiasts and fans of the Vantage GTE will come together to bid farewell to an iconic racing car that has left an indelible mark on the world of motorsport.
