Aston Martin to Participate at 24h of Le Mans with Gulf Oil Livered LMP1

British sportscar manufacturer Aston Martin has set its eyes for an outright victory at this year's Le Mans 24 hour race that will be held over the weekend of 13-14 June, 2009. Aston Martin will return to La Sarthe with two Works LMP1 cars bearing the characteristic blue and orange livery of Gulf Oil. Currently under development, the LMP1 will be based on the 2008 Charouz Racing System Lola equipped with the same production-based Aston Martin V12 engine which, last year, helped Aston Martin secure its second successive Le Mans GT1 title with the DBR9.

"2009 is a hugely significant year for Aston Martin at Le Mans and the challenge of reclaiming victory in this famous race for Aston Martin and Great Britain was simply too great to ignore," said Aston Martin Chairman, David Richards.

"However, we do not underestimate the task. While we have won the GT1 class for the last two years, competing against the proven speed and endurance of the diesel-powered cars with all their years of winning the prototype class, will be a massive undertaking. Nonetheless, I see this as a great opportunity to showcase the ingenuity of British engineering talent," Richards added.

In addition to the Le Mans 24 hour race, Aston Martin's race team will also compete throughout the year in the Le Mans Series (LMS), which opens with the 1000 km de Catalunya on the 5th of April.