Silverstone: Series Friday news

Aston Martin Racing: ready to fight for the season titles!

Fresh from its amazing podium clean sweep at the ADAC Nurburgring 1000km in August, the Aston Martin Racing squad is getting ready to shine at the top of the time sheets, especially here, for their home race.

As the teams and drivers titles are within reach, the fans are getting very excited, partly because Aston Martin and Aston Martin Racing's headquarters are less than 30 miles away from the Silverstone circuit.

We have to keep in mind that 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the DBR1's victory in the World Sportscar Championship. This car, which is forever engraved on the memory, should run one lap on Sunday before its descendants start the race in their Gulf Oil livery.

The 007 Aston Martin and its drivers head to Silverstone seven points clear in the Team and Driver Championships. However, with one point for pole position and 10 points awarded for the win there is everything to play for.

"After the team's outstanding result at the Nurburgring, we head to our home race with confidence but also realism. Undoubtedly we are in a strong position but the Team and Driver Championships are by no means secure and we still have six hours of extremely tough racing against very strong opposition to get through," said Team Principal, George Howard-Chappell. He added: "That said, the circuit should suit our car and is well known to our drivers. I'm sure we will have a huge amount of support from the British fans too so we are looking forward to the race."

The driving squad for Silverstone will remain the same as at the Nurburgring where all eight of the Aston Martin Racing drivers were on the podium. In 007, Jan Charouz (CZ), Tomas Enge (CZ) and Stefan Mucke (DE) will be hoping to secure enough points to win the Team and Driver titles.

In the 008 car, British drivers Chris Buncombe and Stuart Hall will partner with Portuguese driver Miguel Ramos.

In the 009 Aston Martin, Darren Turner (GB) and Swiss driver Harold Primat will share the wheel, hoping to match or better their second place finish at the Nurburgring.

-credit: lms