In 2006, when the movie "Casino Royale" was released in theaters, James Bond 007 had a new face. After "Die Another Day," the 20th film in the saga, Daniel Craig succeeded Pierce Brosnan. That same year, Aston Martin added the famous double zero to its racing numbers. Driven by Tomas Enge, Darren Turner and Andrea Piccini, the No. 007 DBR9 finished sixth overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Until 2010, the 007 was a regular in the top 10 at Le Mans: ninth in 2007 with the DBR9, fourth in 2009 and sixth in 2010 with the Lola-Aston Martin prototype. In 2007 and 2008, the No. 009 Aston Martin won two consecutive class victories, amounting to fifth and 13th places overall.

Since the inception of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2012, the standarization of racing numbers translated into the removal of the double zeros on the Aston Martins, now numbered from 95 to 99 in the LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am classes. A factory Aston Martin driver, Darren Turner discusses his opinion of James Bond, as a special witness to a shared history: "My favourite actors in the role are Daniel Craig and Sean Connery. I have really enjoy the latest films, sharply performed by Daniel Craig (he has played James Bond four times since 2006, in "Casino Royale," "Quantum of Solace," "Skyfall" and "Spectre," editor's note) since they are a little darker than the previous ones. I also met Roger Moore a few years ago, during an Aston Martin gathering. There are a lot of heroes and superheroes in the history of the movie business, but I find James Bond to be the most 'normal,' he's someone with a secret life we'd like to have."

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SATURDAY & SUNDAY JUNE 17-18 2006. A few months prior to the release of "Casino Royale," in which James Bond reunited with Aston Martin and was personified by a new face in Daniel Craig, the No. 007 DBR9 of Enge-Piccini-Turner finished sixth overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.