Roman De Angelis joins Aston Martin Racing in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTD class
2019 PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE CANADA AND PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE USA CHAMPION TO CO-DRIVE ASTON MARTIN’S VANTAGE GT3 WITH ALEX RIBERAS
Just announced on his social media, Roman De Angelis confirmed he is to compete the entire 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season driving for Aston Martin Racing partnered with The Heart of Racing in the GTD class.
De Angelis will be back at Daytona for the second time in GTD as last year he co-drove the WRT Speedstar Audi Sport Audi R8 LMS GT3 to third place in class.
For the 2020 season, De Angelis will have Spaniard Alex Riberas as a teammate with driver Ian James and Aston Martin Factory driver Nicki Thiim to join for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“Endurance racing has always been my dream. To be making my second start in the 24 Hours of Daytona at the age of 18, as a full-season driver in the IMSA GTD class, is something that I would never have dreamt of,” said De Angelis. “In addition, to be partnered with a brand so rich in racing history like Aston Martin, is an absolute dream come true. A few weeks ago, I was in a situation not knowing what I would be doing in the 2020 racing season which is a scary thought coming off a strong year last year. I cannot thank the Aston Martin Racing/The Heart of Racing team enough for putting faith in me, to not only be back in a race car, but to be put in such a high level of competition with a prestigious brand and well-prepared team is incredible. I am looking forward to working with the team for the first time at the ROAR, as well as working alongside new teammates Alex and Nikki, and Ian James who I had the pleasure of co-driving with in last year’s Daytona 24. I am more than excited to build on last years’ experience of the 24, and to get started with the team on our 2020 campaign.”
A little more about The Heart of Racing… The Heart of Racing is a racing program founded in 2014 to compete in the GT Daytona class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Since inception the team has successfully used the promotion and exposure of the racing program to partner with Team Seattle, a Seattle Children’s Hospital Guild focused on raising funds and awareness of the financial needs for quality pediatric medical care. To date, Team Seattle has generated over $6 million for their cause, and accepts donations and pledges for Seattle Children’s Hospital at teamseattle.com.
That is great news for Roman but also for Canadian race fans as this makes him the sixth Canadian driver, so far, to compete at Daytona International Speedway for this year’s Rolex 24.
Cover image: Patrice Marchessault / PMstills Photography
