Aston Martin factory drivers Nicki Thiim and Marco Sørensen will make their British GT Championship debuts in 2018 after joining AMR customer team, TF Sport.
The 2016 FIA World Endurance GTE Pro champions, who are also known as ‘The Dane Train’, will dovetail their British GT commitments with the WEC’s ‘super season’, just like fellow AMR ace Jonny Adam whose move from TF Sport to Optimum Motorsport was announced before Christmas. All three will contest the full nine-race schedule, which starts at Oulton Park on March 31-April 2.
TF Sport confirmed back in October that its existing ‘Am’ drivers, Mark Farmer and Derek Johnston, would be returning for their respective third and fourth seasons with the team in 2018. However, it’s only now that their Pro co-drivers can be announced.
Thiim, who also won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014, renews his existing relationship with TF Sport after competing alongside Salih Yoluc and Euan Hankey in the European Le Mans Series throughout 2017. He has been paired with British GT race winner Farmer, who finished fourth in this year’s GT3 standings with Jon Barnes.
“This should be a lot of fun, it’s an amazing opportunity,” said Thiim. “I’ve met Mark and he’s an interesting guy. He told me – I think it was at Sebring – about many of his races and he’s obviously quick, so I look forward to working with him in the new year!
“From my side, it’s all about new challenges with Aston Martin. We had a great time with TF Sport in the ELMS this year, and this will be the same. They’re a great bunch of guys and I know Brands, Silverstone, but have yet to experience all of the British circuits. It’s great to stay with TF Sport and be with those guys again. It’s really important and I’m looking forward to joining the British GT scene.”
The team’s second Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 sees 27-year-old single-seater convert Sørensen partner 2016 champion Derek Johnston, who also finished third this year alongside Adam.
“I’m really excited to be joining the British GT Championship,” he said. “I last raced in the UK in 2008 in Formula Ford and, as soon as I knew this deal was happening, I looked up the tracks and I’m pleased to say that they’re all on there!
“To start a new series with a team like TF Sport is extra-special as they’re a top team and have demonstrated that they know how to win. I’ll be pairing up with Derek – I met him at the Autosport Show – and he’s a great guy. It will be challenging for the both of us and it’s my job to make him go as fast as possible. I’m not used to the Pro/Am format, but I’ll coach him my way and I’m sure we’ll have a great battle for wins and the title – with the guys on the other side of the garage!”
Team boss Tom Ferrier believes TF Sport is now well set to regain the Teams’ title it lost to Barwell Motorsport earlier this year.
“To have Nicki and Marco join us is a great story,” he added. “They are both some of the fastest guys in GT cars and, having worked with Nicki last year, I have experienced this first hand. Derek and Mark are going to have to raise their game to keep up with these guys! If they do that, we will be winning races from the outset. A big thanks to AMR for letting us have these guys for the year.”
Click here to reserve your tickets for British GT’s opening round of the season at Oulton Park on March 31-April 2.