24h Le Mans
Aston Martin announced it has renewed its contract with Darren Turner - involved in the adventure since the beginning of the program - for three more years as an official driver. The Brit will also become a test driver for the manufacturer's road cars for the first time.
Darren Turner's relationaship with Aston Martin Racing dates back to 2004, the year the outfit was created under the helm of David Richards, the founder and owner of Prodrive. However, the connection between the British driver and Prodrive goes back even further since Turner has participated twice in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a class podium finish in 2004, with the Ferrari 550 Maranello prepared by the Banbury-based outfit.
Fast and particularly reliable and very solid, Turner's role with Aston Martin Racing has expanded over time, becoming a development driver for new race cars like for the new Vulcan, designed exclusively for circuits. Now he will also take charge of the development of road cars for Aston Martin and Lagonda, a historic marque that the British marque intends to revive.
This new direction may lead to another contract extension, as explained by John Gaw, Aston Martin RacingTeam Principal: "We’ve signed a three-year deal but we certainly see Darren’s future with Aston Martin Racing as ongoing,” Gaw commented. “He has been with us since the company was founded and is therefore not only a very strong and reliable driver but also has an understanding of the team and insight into the cars better than anyone else ever could. His professional, mature and positive attitude is invaluable within our team as we look to bring in and develop young talent."
The coaching aspect in a personal capacity gives Turner skills and experience useful to Aston Martin Racing, even though the British driver would first like to snatch the FIA World Endurance GT Drivers' Cup from his rival Gianmaria Bruni, whose contract was recently extended with Ferrari (see article). After the retirement this year at Le Mans, a title would hit the spot for he who resides near the Banbury headquarters and who could boast of two class wins at Le Mans...
Cécile Bonardel / ACO (quotation from team press release) - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, THURSDAY JUNE 11 2015, QUALIFYING SESSION. Darren Turner race with Aston Martin Racing for three more years.
