Turner/Mucke/Senna to drive at Sebring

Aston Martin Racing will make the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida part of its 2013 GT racing program, the team has announced. Darren Turner and Stefan Mucke will team with AMR newcomer Bruno Senna in a 2013-spec Aston Martin Vantage GTE for the opening round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr¢n.

Along with Sebring, the Aston Martin factory program will compete in the full FIA World Endurance Championship – including the September round at Circuit of The Americas as part of a shared weekend with ALMS – and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“There is a real sense of anticipation in the Aston Martin Racing team this year and a belief that it is once again our time to return to the top step of the podium at Le Mans," said David Richards, Chairman of Aston Martin. “It would be a fitting way for Aston Martin, which has such a rich heritage in motorsport and particularly at Le Mans, to cap its centenary year."

Aston Martin Racing last won at Sebring in 2005 as part of a fantastic battle with Corvette Racing in GT1. Aston Martin Racing finished third in the WEC’s GT class at Sebring last year as part of a combined race with the ALMS. Turner also put a factory AMR Vantage on the GT pole at the ALMS race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May.

“Last year we proved how fast and reliable the car was," said John Gaw, managing director and team principal at Aston Martin Racing. “Overall, around 30 percent of all components on the 2013-specification Pro cars are new, which makes for a significant improvement. We looked at specific areas where we could take weight out of the car and redistribute it to a better location. We have also revised the suspension, which has not only improved the handling but, when combined with the new fly-by wire throttle allowed under this year’s regulations, makes the car easier to drive."

The new ALMS season goes green with the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March 16. The race will air live starting at 10:30 a.m. ET on SPEED, and event and ticket information is available through ALMS.com.