Jonny Adam and Dudu Barrichello join The Heart of Racing’s 2026 world title assault with Vantage

Aston Martin partner The Heart of Racing [THOR] has confirmed that Jonny Adam (GBR) and Dudu Barrichello (BRA) will complete its driver line-up in the #23 Vantage GT3, alongside American rookie Gray Newell, in the LMGT3 class of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship [WEC].

These additions to an already formidable Aston Martin driving squad in WEC’s GT class, means THOR will mount its strongest bid to date to clinch Vantage’s first ‘GT3’ world title. In what will be the Seattle team’s first two-car WEC LMGT3 programme, the #23 Vantage will run alongside the returning and familiar #27 crew – class contenders last season – led by team principal Ian James (GBR), who is joined by 2022 IMSA GTD champion Zacharie Robichon (CAN) and works driver Mattia Drudi (ITA), a former winner of the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa and last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans polewinner.

Adam, a two-time Le Mans GT class winner, as well as a four-time British GT champion and GT World Challenge Europe class winner, returns to WEC for the first time since 2020. A veteran of 36 WEC events, the 41-year-old Scot raced the works Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE from 2015 to 2019, during which time he clinched the British ultra-luxury sportscar brand’s first GTE Pro victory with Vantage at Le Mans (in 2017) alongside Aston Martin’s longest-serving works driver Darren Turner (GBR).

From 2019, Adam switched to GTE Am partner team TF Sport and clinched four more class victories – including his second Le Mans win – during the Covid-affected WEC 2019-2020 super-season.

“I am super excited to be joining The Heart of Racing in 2026 and returning to WEC,” said Adam. “Teaming up with Dudu, who had some awesome performances last season in LMGT3, alongside supporting Gray’s first year in WEC and the Le Mans 24 Hours is something that I’m really getting fully involved in. The goal is to gain experience along the way and hopefully have some successful results for the team with the Aston Martin Vantage. I believe that’s entirely possible with this line-up.”

Barrichello made a stunning debut for the Racing Spirit of Léman team in 2025 and was one of the stars of the LMGT3 class as he captured two pole positions and finished on the podium at his home race – the 6 Hours of São Paulo. He followed this up with a brilliant start to his debut IMSA season at this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, where alongside Drudi, Robichon and works Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie driver Tom Gamble (GBR), he finished on the podium having been a victory contender throughout.

“It’s such a pleasure to be returning to WEC this year with such a special group of people,” said Barrichello. “I’m really excited to get going, and I’m beyond grateful for The Heart of Racing for the opportunity they have given me both in WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.”

Both will race alongside Newell, who steps up to WEC level after several successful seasons in US-based series run by SRO. A race winner in Vantage GT4s, Newell finished on the class podium three times in the GT World Challenge America in his first season racing the Vantage GT3 in 2025 alongside Turner.

Ian James, THOR team principal, said: “We know that Gray has the potential to shine in WEC, based on his performances in other categories and because he’s grown up as a driver within the THOR family. The best chance we can give Gray is to pair him with someone super-fast and renowned for his ability to nurture less experienced co-drivers to get the best out of them. There is no one in the business more suited to this role than Jonny. Meanwhile, with Dudu, his performances in WEC last year were outstanding, and he has already proved himself a vital part of our 2026 IMSA GTD programme. This is a very strong line-up and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve with our two Vantages in 2026.” 

Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport, said: “The Heart of Racing sets a high standard with its approach to GT racing both in WEC and its North American programmes. Aston Martin is delighted to see, and fully supports, its expansion to two cars for this year’s LMGT3 assault. We are also pleased to see Jonny Adam return to WEC. His record speaks for itself and he sets an outstanding example for new drivers to learn from. Dudu Barrichello, meanwhile, has earned his place in the team following his performances in 2025. We’re excited to see what these two Vantages can achieve on the most prestigious stage of all.”