Lance Stroll to Race Aston Martin in GT World Challenge Europe Opener

Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll will take on a new challenge during the F1 season, competing in the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe at the Paul Ricard circuit in April. He will drive a Pro-class Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for the Comtoyou Racing team, partnering with Roberto Merhi and Aston Martin junior Mari Boya.

Why it matters:

While not uncommon for drivers to participate in other series, Stroll's commitment to a major GT3 endurance event during the F1 calendar highlights a growing trend of cross-discipline racing. For Aston Martin, it serves as a high-profile showcase for its customer racing program with a current F1 driver at the wheel, blending its Formula 1 and GT racing worlds.

The details:

• The Event: Stroll will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup season opener at Circuit Paul Ricard on Saturday, April 11th.
• The Team: He joins Comtoyou Racing, a team with proven success in the Aston Martin stable, having secured the brand's first modern GT win at the 2024 Spa 24 Hours and the 2025 Sprint Silver Cup title.
• The Car & Class: The entry is for the top-tier Pro class in a 4.0-liter V8-powered Aston Martin Vantage GT3, one of seven Aston Martins in the 60-car field.
• The Teammates: Stroll will share the car with experienced Spaniard Roberto Merhi, a former F1 test driver, and rising star Mari Boya from the Aston Martin Driver Development Programme.
• The Schedule: The race weekend begins with the official 'Prologue' test days starting Wednesday, April 8th.

What's next:

This outing provides Stroll with additional seat time in a different form of motorsport, which could offer fresh perspectives. His performance will be closely watched, not only for his personal result but also for the promotional value it brings to Aston Martin's broader racing portfolio. The event kicks off a busy April that will see him return to F1 duty shortly after.