2025 AMR Driver Academy winner Kobe Pauwels will make his FIA World Endurance Championship debut in Imola next week, with the Heart of Racing Team.
The Belgian will drive the #23 Aston Martin Vantage AMR LMGT3 alongside co-driver Gray Newell and AMR factory driver Jonny Adam, as the immediate replacement for Dudu Barrichello, who instead entered the IMSA Sportscar Championship in Long Beach.
Pauwels’ main program for 2026 is to return to GT World Challenge Europe with Comtoyou Racing, where he won the Silver drivers’ title in the Sprint Cup last year. The 21-year-old will race Silver in the Endurance Cup this year, but step up to the Pro class drive alongside works driver Nicki Thiim in the Sprint Cup.
“The WEC coverage is great, and to be honest, it came sooner than I expected!,” Pauwels said. “I will do everything in my power to show the Racing Heart Team and Aston Martin that I am the right choice!”
The quest to find Pauwels’ successor also continues, with Aston Martin confirming 22 candidates for this year’s Driver Academy. The competition is open to drivers aged 16 to 26 who race in a Vantage GT3 or GT4 machine, and the 2026 entry includes drivers from 10 different nations competing in series as diverse as the IMSA Sportscar Championship and Iberian GT4.
The winner will receive financial support towards their 2027 racing programme, as well as support and guidance from Aston Martin Racing.
Headline names include 2025 SRO GT Academy winner Gaspard Simon, and 2025 24 Hours of Spa Silver team winners Oliver Söderström and Mateo Villagomez.
Adam Carter, head of racing at Aston Martin, said: “We are very proud of the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy. As the initiative grows, we see more and more clearly the success of its alumni.
“Some will race in the GT World Challenge Europe, Spa 24 Hours and ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours. As a tool to define potential endurance racing talent, it’s clearly working and we can’t wait to see who it produces in 2026!”
Candidates for the 2026 Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy:
Sebastien Baud (FRA), Van der Steur Racing, IMSA, GT3
Joel Bergström (SWE), Racar Motorsport, Iberian GT4, GT4
Louka Desgranges (FRA), Racing Spirit of Léman, GT4 European Series, GT4
Baudouin Detout (FRA), Comtoyou Racing, ADAC GT Masters, GT3
Arthur Dorison (FRA), Comtoyou Racing, GT World Europe, GT3
Roberto Faria (BRA), Racar Motorsport, Iberian GT4, GT4
Dennis Fetzer (DEU), Walkenhorst Motorsport, NLS, GT3
Marius Fossard (FRA), Racing Spirit of Léman, European Le Mans Series, GT3
Pedro Garcia (BRA), Racing Spirit of Léman, GT4 European Series, GT4
Hannah Grisham (USA), Racing Heart Team, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, GT4
Ethan Ischer (CHE), Walkenhorst Motorsport, GT World Europe, GT3
Mathieu Martins (FRA), Racar Motorsport, Iberian GT4, GT4
Anton Morsing (DEN), Racar Motorsport, Iberian GT4, GT4
Will Orton (GBR), MKH, British GT4, GT4
Ronan Pearson (GBR), GBR Stratton, British GT4, GT4
Gaspard Simon (FRA), Walkenhorst Motorsport, GT World Europe, GT3
Jodie Sloss (GBR), Mirage Racing, FFSA GT4, GT4
Oliver Söderström (SWE), Comtoyou Racing, GT World Europe, GT3
Rory van der Steur (USA), Van der Steur Racing, IMSA, GT3
Athan Sterling (USA), Medusa Motorsport, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, GT4
Mateo Villagomez (ECU), Walkenhorst Motorsport, GT World Challenge Europe, GT3
Hunter Yeany (USA), Medusa Motorsport, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, GT4
Image courtesy of Aston Martin Racing
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