Breaking news
IMSA Daytona 24
Aston Martin names Dalla Lana Rolex 24 replacement
Aston Martin Racing has revealed a revised driver line-up for its works Vantage GT3 in next weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona, following Paul Dalla Lana's withdrawal.
Jamie Klein
Published: Jan 17, 2020, 8:00 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The British marque has announced that FIA World Endurance Championship regular Dalla Lana will be replaced by AMR junior driver Andrew Watson for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship curtain-raiser.
Watson, 24, was part of the Garage 59 squad's assault on the Blancpain GT Series (now GT World Challenge Europe) Endurance Cup last year. He'll partner Mathias Lauda, Pedro Lamy and Ross Gunn aboard the #98 car in what will be his first IMSA race outing.
"This is such a great opportunity for me," commented the Ulsterman. "I am very grateful to Aston Martin for the chance to continue to prove what I can do. I know the Vantage GT3 well, having raced it in Europe last season.
"It’s all come about quickly but my focus is on preparation to ensure I do the best job possible and deliver a result for the team. I’ve never raced in America before so for the first event to be the Rolex 24 is mind blowing. We’ve got a great line-up and we should be competitive.”
Dalla Lana was forced to withdraw from the Aston line-up after sustaining an injury in a skiiing accident, which limited the car's running during the Roar Before the 24 test.
The Canadian however is set to return to action for the next round of the WEC at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on February 22-23.
“It’s a real shame not to be racing in the Rolex 24, a race that’s close to my heart and particularly with Aston Martin where we have unfinished business," said Dalla Lana.
"But I wish my old teammates Mat and Pedro luck, as well as my current WEC partner Ross, and offer my thanks to Andrew for stepping up to the plate so quickly.
"It’s a tough race but this is a strong crew and I sincerely wish them all good luck. I can’t wait to get back in the cockpit at COTA in February.”
Aston has also announced Alex Riberas as its 'AMR North America driver'. The Spaniard had already been confirmed as one of the full-timers aboard the Heart of Racing squad's Vantage GT3 (pictured below), alongside Roman de Angelis.
Team manager Ian James joins the pair for the four Michelin Endurance Cup events, starting with Daytona, while Aston factory driver Nicki Thiim completes the Rolex 24 line-up.
Read Also:
#23 Heart Of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3, GTD: Roman De Angelis, Nicki Thiim, Ian James, Alex Riberas
Photo by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article AIM Vasser Sullivan confirms Telitz in Rolex 24 line-up
Next article Hailie Deegan to honor Lyn St. James in Mustang GT debut
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Aston Martin Racing
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
“Even faster than Ferrari” – Fernando Alonso grabs Aston Martin’s best result of F1 2026
Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain GP in Malaysia
“Even faster than Ferrari” – Fernando Alonso grabs Aston Martin’s best result of F1 2026
Latest news
Zane Smith furious as he slams into Carson Hocevar after NASCAR Cup race
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
2 min
Zane Smith furious as he slams into Carson Hocevar after NASCAR Cup race
Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Phoenix II
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
35 min
Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Phoenix II
Kyle Larson reacts as points lead completely vanishes in costly Phoenix wreck
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
54 min
Kyle Larson reacts as points lead completely vanishes in costly Phoenix wreck
Official race results: 2026 NASCAR Cup Phoenix II
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
1 h
Official race results: 2026 NASCAR Cup Phoenix II
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe