Comtoyou Racing, which received the Spa 24 Hours this yr in an Aston Martin, is severely evaluating an assault on the DTM in 2025.
The Belgian squad has been holding talks with each Aston Martin Racing and DTM promoter ADAC to enter the Vantage GT3 within the championship subsequent yr.
“We wish to get into the sequence,” Comtoyou staff supervisor Francois Verbist advised Motorsport.com’s sister title Motorsport-Complete.com. “The scenario is unquestionably higher than final yr and there was an inquiry from a buyer. To date, at the least one automobile has been secured.”
The client in query is a gentleman driver who will assist finance the challenge. Comtoyou additionally intends to area a second automobile within the DTM for knowledgeable driver from Aston Martin’s manufacturing unit roster.
“Our want is to additionally use knowledgeable, an Aston Martin driver,” Verbist stated. “It will make no sense to compete within the DTM if we can not present our ambitions.”
Verbist attended the ultimate spherical of the 2024 DTM season at Hockenheim in October to speak to the ADAC a couple of potential entry into the sequence.
Additional, he was additionally current finally month’s GT World Problem Europe Endurance Cup finale in Jeddah to carry discussions with Aston’s racing division.
#7 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO: Mattia Drudi, Nicki Thiim, Marco Sørensen
Picture by: Emanuele Clivati | AG Picture
Having switched from Audi to Aston equipment a yr in the past, Comtoyou is assured about its skill to compete in a high-level GT3 championship such because the DTM.
“The problem is possible for us after having used 4 automobiles within the dash and endurance sequence for a yr and competing within the GT Open sequence,” stated Verbist.
“We perceive the automobile a lot better now than we did a yr in the past. I am giving myself till January fifteenth to take a look at each facet intimately.
“We’ve sponsors who’re taken with approaching board. Now that GT World Problem is over, that is the place my focus is. The subsequent two or three weeks earlier than Christmas might be worrying, however I have been engaged on it for 2 months. We’re doing our greatest to make it work!”
Requested to evaluate the staff’s probability of constructing it onto the 2025 grid, he stated: “Troublesome query, however I might say 75%.”
What makes the scenario tough for Comtoyou is that Aston Martin has fewer GT3 automobiles than different producers in circulation. Furthermore, it’s understood that the British producer provides solely primary technical help to companion groups, leaving it as much as them to search out the mandatory funding. Spare components for the Vantage GT3 are additionally notably costly.
Nevertheless, the Belgian squad is severe in regards to the DTM and needs to decide to the championship for the long run.
#7 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO: Mattia Drudi, Nicki Thiim, Marco Sørensen
Picture by: Eric Le Galliot
“We positively wish to become involved as a result of we’re huge followers of the sequence,” defined Verbist.
“However we do not wish to be half-hearted and solely be there for one yr. If we do it – and in addition with all of the folks I speak to – it is going to be at the least a three-year dedication. As a result of my feeling is: ‘If we do not do it that means, then it will not work’.”
If a Comtoyou entry does materialise, the logical selection for its manufacturing unit driver could be Nicki Thiim.
Thiim had acquired Aston’s blessing to participate within the DTM this yr in an SSR Performance Lamborghini and has all the time been desperate to characterize his employer within the German sequence.
Furthermore, the Danish driver raced for Comtoyou in different classes this yr and was a part of its profitable line-up within the Spa endurance basic together with Marco Sorensen and Mattia Drudi.
“Nicki has competed for us the entire season, he is an efficient buddy of mine,” Verbist stated.
“It seems to be easy and apparent that we’re going to go down this path. However while you search for companions and sponsors, typically it is usually tied to drivers and to completely different markets. That would be the deciding issue in the long run.
“If I ask myself whether or not it is a want or a should, then it is extra of a want. We’ll strive.”
On this article
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e-mail updates on these subjects
