Macmillan AMR has completed its 2017 British GT driver line-up after announcing that Jan Jønck will partner William Phillips aboard its Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4.
It will be the 18-year-old Dane’s first season of GT racing after making the switch from single-seaters. Jønck contested a part BRDC British F3 campaign last year after graduating from ADAC Formel 4 in 2015.
Before that he finished runner-up in his native Formula Ford championship and has also claimed two Danish karting titles.
Jønck first sampled Macmillan AMR’s Vantage GT4 before Christmas and was back behind the wheel during the team’s recent trip to Portimao where it was taking part in an exclusive Aston Martin Racing customer test.
“Britain has always been a mecca for motorsport and I’m very excited to be developing my career in the UK. It’s a great place to race,” said Jønck.
“The British GT Championship is one of the most competitive series in Europe, with lots of international-standard drivers and teams. The circuits are great, too. Well-run, exciting and challenging – some of the best anywhere - and the mix of classes, with GT3 and GT4 together, makes for very competitive and very exciting racing.”
Despite his lack of GT experience Jønck is confident that he and Phillips can be podium challengers from the start of the season.
“I felt very comfortable with the team and the car, right away. The atmosphere in the team is great and there’s a really good work ethic and I hope that we’ll be able to target podium finishes, right from the start of the season,” he said.
“The car is clearly fast, it feels very good to drive and I’ve really started to fall in love with GT racing over the test days we’ve had together. I’m looking forward to the endurance aspect of the championship, which is completely new to me, coming from much shorter sprints, in karts and single-seaters. I can’t wait to get into the two- and three-hour races. That’s going to be a new and unique experience for me and that’s probably what I’m looking forward to the most!”
2016 was Macmillan AMR’s first season of British GT, but the team still picked up four podiums - three of them in the final four races - to finish fifth in the drivers’ standings.
And team principal David Macmillan believes everything is now in place to claim a first class victory.
“The combination of Jan and Will is hugely exciting,” he said. “We’re heading into our second season in GT4, with two young chargers, a good grounding in British GT and a year of learning under our belts.
“We’ve been looking for someone that’s a good fit with the entire team and I’m convinced that, in Jan, we’ve found the final piece of our jigsaw puzzle. Macmillan AMR is a close-knit family and the way that Jan blended in seamlessly, on both occasions that he’s been with us in testing, has given us all the confidence that’s vital for the tough battle in GT4.
“Last season was all about learning the ropes. This year, we will be targeting podium finishes and, hopefully, race wins. We believe we have put all the pieces in place and - with the support of Aston Martin Racing – we can’t wait to get to Oulton Park and get the season underway.”
Jønck’s announcement means that all four of Macmillan AMR’s 2017 drivers have now be confirmed, with Jack Mitchell and James Littlejohn’s GT3 entry revealed before Christmas.
This year’s British GT Championship gets underway at Oulton Park on April 15/17. Click here to purchase tickets - Adult prices start at just £19 and under-13s go free!
Plus, don’t forget there’s free general admission to our Media Day, which will be held at Snetterton on March 28!