Christian Krognes Boosts Aston Martin Racing Line-Up for 2025 GTWC Europe Endurance Cup
Aston Martin Racing has added Norwegian champion Christian Krognes to its works driver roster from 2025 onwards. The 2018 Spa 24 Hours winner will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS (GTWC Europe) Endurance Cup, partnering his new works teammates David Pittard (GBR) and Henrique Chaves (POR) in Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Pro class #34 Vantage GT3.
Krognes, 34, claimed the overall Nürburgring Langstrecken Series (NLS) title in 2012 and holds the official GT3 lap record on the challenging Nordschleife NLS layout (set in 2022). A seasoned Walkenhorst Motorsport driver, he will join the team’s SP9 Pro class attack on the Nürburgring 24 Hours this June.
“Our long-term observation of Christian’s performances at the Nürburgring convinced us he would be an outstanding addition to the AMR family,” said Aston Martin Racing Director of Performance, Gus Beteli. “He is swift, delivers precise and consistent feedback, works superbly within a team, and is a reliable pair of hands behind the wheel – all vital qualities at the top level of endurance racing.”
Krognes, whose career has focused on Nürburgring-based endurance events since switching from karting, described becoming part of the AMR works driver line-up as the “realisation of a dream.”
“Joining Aston Martin has always been a childhood ambition,” he said. “I look forward to facing the upcoming challenges with my brilliant teammates at Walkenhorst Motorsport in the spectacular Aston Martin Vantage GT3. The brand’s heritage is something I’ve always admired, and I’m proud to represent such an iconic manufacturer. I also want to thank AMR for trusting me and everyone who has supported me on this journey. I can’t wait for the season to begin.”
Krognes now forms part of what is arguably Aston Martin Racing’s strongest-ever works line-up. Former FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) GT champions Marco Sørensen (DEN) and Nicki Thiim (DEN) return with multiple programmes. At the same time, Spa 24 Hours winner Mattia Drudi (ITA) will tackle WEC, GTWC Europe, and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA). Chaves, the 2021 GTWC Europe Pro-Am champion and 2020 International GT Open title-winner, and Pittard – who clinched the 2023 Nürburgring 24 Hours – will campaign the GTWC Europe. Meanwhile, 2023 Le Mans Cup champion and 2020 AMR Academy winner Valentin Hasse Clot (FRA) competes in WEC, IMSA, and the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). Jonny Adam (GBR), the most successful driver in British GT Championship history, aims for a record-breaking fifth title with Blackthorn. In contrast, Darren Turner – AMR’s longest-serving works driver – embarks on his 21st season wearing the famous wings, racing with The Heart of Racing (THOR) in the GT World Challenge America.
There is more talent in the fold. Ross Gunn (GBR), Aston Martin Racing’s first Driver Academy winner (2014), joins the Aston Martin THOR Team works Valkyrie programme in WEC and IMSA alongside Sørensen, WEC and IMSA GT race winner Alex Riberas (ESP), 2021 AMR Academy winner and 2022 IMSA GTD champion Roman De Angelis (CDN), 2018 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner Tom Gamble (GBR), and former 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12 Hours of Sebring class winner Harry Tincknell (GBR). This formidable group brings the total works driver count to 14.
Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins will continue to pilot an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for a second consecutive season, joining Comtoyou Racing in the GTWC Europe Endurance Cup. The team will confirm her #11 car teammates at a later date.
Hawkins, who secured two Silver-Am class podiums at Donington Park in her maiden British GT Championship season, said: “I’m thrilled to make my GT World Challenge Europe debut with Comtoyou Racing. My previous experience in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and working with an established team should prove beneficial. I want to thank Arm and Valvoline for supporting my progression to GTWC Europe, a fantastic next step that will help me chase my ultimate dream of competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I can’t wait to start and race at familiar and new circuits.”
The Briton will be surrounded by exceptional talent at the Belgian partner team, a 2024 GTWC Europe Endurance Cup Pro class title contender thanks to Spa 24 Hour winners Drudi, Sørensen, and Thiim, who return in the #007 for another shot at championship glory.
The newest AMR Driver Academy winner, Jamie Day (GBR), also steps up to the GTWC Europe Endurance Cup with Comtoyou Racing in 2025 at the wheel of an Aston Martin Vantage GT3. The 2024 British GT GT4 Silver class champion will compete in the GTWC Silver division alongside Belgian duo Kobe Pauwels and Matisse Lismont.
Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Pro line-up of Chaves, Krognes, and Pittard will be supported by an equally impressive Silver class trio in the #35 Vantage GT3, which features another AMR Academy winner, Romain Leroux (FRA), joining forces with Mateo Villagomez (ECU) and Oliver Söderström (SWE). The team will also run a Pro class campaign for Chaves and Villagomez in the Sprint Cup.
Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, Adam Carter, added: “Our partners’ strength in depth within GTWC Europe demonstrates the competitive edge and drivability of the Vantage GT3 platform. The car narrowly missed out on winning the Pro class title in 2024, and we’re confident the 2025 line-ups have the potential to fight for top honours. I want to warmly welcome Christian, an ideal addition to the works roster, and congratulate Jessica on her step up to European GT competition. We anticipate a thrilling GT season and look forward to it with great excitement here at Aston Martin.”
The GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Official Prologue will be held from 10 to 11 March at Paul Ricard, France. The championship's season-opening round will take place at the same venue from 11 to 13 April. For more information, visit www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com.
