Former GT4 champions Optimum Motorsport will return to the class in 2019 with Aston Martin’s new Vantage.
The West Yorkshire-based squad won the GT4 Drivers’ crown in 2016 before achieving the same feat in the senior category with Flick Haigh, Jonny Adam and AMR earlier this year.
And while Optimum has yet to reveal its GT3 plans, the launch of Aston Martin’s new Vantage has offered an opportunity to return to the GT4 class with Ginetta GT5 Challenge graduate Connor O’Brien.
Indeed, the 18-year-old – who began his circuit racing career two years ago – finished sixth in this year’s standings at the wheel of an Optimum-run G40. The team is now actively looking for another driver to fill the second seat.
“I’m looking forward to starting our testing programme next year and getting to work with the Aston Martin,” said O’Brien. “It’s also great to continue with Optimum Motorsport and I’m looking forward to working with my new team-mate, even though I don’t know who that is yet!
“The AMR Young Driver Academy is obviously very interesting to me, but I also know that the early part of the season at least will be something of a learning curve. I hope to be at the sharp end as soon as possible, getting solid finishes and making progress race by race.”
Team principal Shaun Goff added: “It’s good that we can announce Connor at the first available opportunity. It’s an exciting new programme for us and it’s a pleasure to have Connor moving up from Ginetta racing to the British GT Championship and remaining part of the team.
“Connor has developed well over the last two years. He’s still just 18 years of age and is a driver with lots of potential that we are keen to tap. 2019 may be learning season at this level, but we look forward to building together and maximising opportunities that come our way.”
Oulton Park hosts the opening round of British GT’s 2019 campaign on April 20 & 22.