Tough weekend in Imola for The Heart of Racing
Imola, Italy (April 21, 2025) - The Heart of Racing traveled to the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Racetrack, otherwise known as Imola Circuit, this weekend for the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. After what started out as a strong weekend for the team at the Italian circuit, it had an unfortunate ending for the Heart of Racing Team.
Ian James, Zacharie Robichon, and Mattia Drudi teammed up in the No. 27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage LMGT3 for the second time this season. The weekend was extra special for Drudi as he made his first start at Imola in the World Endurance Championship, a track where Drudi secured his first win in motorsport and captured his first GT3 pole award.
James qualified for the Heart of Racing Team during the 12-minute session where he set the sixth fastest lap time placing the team into the Hyperpole round to set the top ten starting positions. Robichon drove a fast lap of 1:42.703 seconds to earn a third place starting position.
James started the six hour Italian enduro for the No. 27 Heart of Racing Team. James was nearing the end of his second and final stint when contact from behind in Rivazza 1 sent the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage into the wall forcing an early retirement.
“The No. 27 team did a great job this weekend,” said James. “We were super happy with our P3 starting position and we were able to continue our Hyperpole record. Zach did an amazing job in qualifying and the car was really strong. Unfortunately the race didn’t end the way we would like, but hopefully we can come back stronger at Spa.”
The Heart of Racing fielded two Aston Martin Valkyries under the Aston Martin THOR Team banner. The No. 007 Valkyrie was piloted by Harry Ticknell and Tom Gamble who ultimately finished 18th. Marco Sorensen and Alex Riberas drove the No. 009 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Valkyrie finishing 17th.
The Heart of Racing will be back in action in the World Endurance Championship May 8-11 at Spa-Francorchamps. That same weekend, the team will also be competing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
