In its last race of 2010, Aston Martin Racing has finished the Autosport 1000km top of the petrol contenders with 009 finishing in fourth place at the hands of Sam Hancock (GB) and Stefan Mücke (DE). Aston Martin has consistently been the fastest petrol car throughout this year.
The 007 car of Adrian Fernandez (MX), Harold Primat (CH) and Andy Meyrick (GB) suffered a multitude of bad luck including a puncture and damage to the clutch after an early spin as the result of contact with another car, but it was a spin into the gravel that ended the Gulf liveried DBR1-2’s final outing.
The 009 car ran faultlessly throughout the race after qualifying in sixth the day before. Juan Barazi unfortunately did not drive due to ill health so Stefan Mücke completed two double stints never leaving the race pace.
Aston Martin Racing’s official partner teams Signature Racing in LMP1 and JMW Motorsport in the GT2 class both had successful races. The JMW Vantage driven by Rob Bell (GB) and Darren Turner (GB) after leading most of the race was demoted to third in class at the chequered flag due to an earlier stop and go penalty. Pierre Ragues (FR), Franck Mailleux (FR) and Vanina Ickx (BE) of Signature Racing finished in sixth position after a faultless race meaning that they take second overall in the Le Mans Series.
Aston Martin Racing Team Principal, George Howard-Chappell said: “An incredibly strong performance, as we have come to expect, from Stefan Mücke today. As a result it was the best we could have achieved today against the diesels. Disappointed to lose the 007 car but that is sometimes how things work out.
“I am really pleased to see a podium for the GT2 car, and it showed race winning pace all the way through; it was unfortunate that they received the penalty, but congratulations to JMW, Rob and Darren for such a strong performance. It really does show the potential performance in the car.
“We are sad to see the end of an era with the V12 LMP1 car in our hands – it is a fantastic looking machine with a fabulous sound and has always been a crowd favourite, but we look forward to coming back with our exciting programme next year.”
Mücke said: “I was a long time in the car with two double stints so feeling quite tired now! We got the maximum out of the car being the fastest petrol, but unfortunately not a podium because the diesels were too strong. The team did a great job giving me a perfect car and I had fun today.”
Hancock said: “We have had a faultless race, and Stefan has been stellar throughout having done two double stints mistake free. We have had a good reliable car; I came to Silverstone with a sense of unfinished business from Le Mans and we achieved the best we can, so I’m really happy with fourth. It’s a good end to the year.”
Fernandez said: “I wasn’t at my best this weekend after suffering from a virus which hasn’t helped. This is a new track for me and qualifying didn’t go well causing us to start from the back. This year has been good, and I am happy with my performance – I’ve had great team partners in Stefan and Harold and we can build from here.”
Meyrick said: “It’s been a very enjoyable experience being here with Aston Martin Racing but obviously the result is a disappointment for everyone on the team. Fourth place for 009 has lifted the spirits of the guys and, without any mishaps to the diesels, that’s likely to be the best any of the petrol-engined cars can do. They narrowly missed out on a podium but the result is good for them.”
