The Heart of Racing finalizes FIA WEC line-up

U.S.-flagged Aston Martin customer The Heart of Racing has revealed its 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 driver line-up. The Seattle-based outfit has signed Zacharie Robichon and Mattia Drudi to drive alongside team principal Ian James for the second season racing with the Evo-spec Vantage in the world championship.

Robichon has rejoined Heart of Racing in 2025 after competing with it in IMSA’s GTD class during 2024. The 2021 IMSA WeatherTech GTD champion started the year as part of its line-up in the 24 hours of Dubai, Rolex 24 At Daytona, and Bathurst 12 Hour and has now solidified his place in the team until the end of 2025.

“I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of the Heart of Racing for a little over a year now,” said the Canadian, who formed part of Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang driver line-up last year in the FIA WEC.

“I’m excited to finally be able to complete a full season together with Ian and Mattia in WEC. This championship is one that I love and to have the chance to compete with Aston Martin and the Heart of Racing Team is one that cannot come soon enough.”

Drudi will make his WEC debut with the Heart of Racing at the Qatar season-opener. The Italian driver, who won the Centenary edition of the Spa 24 Hours last year with Aston Martin, was a part of The Heart of Racing’s line-up at the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

“I’m super excited to be making my FIA WEC debut with the Heart of Racing Team,” said Drudi. “Zach was one of the best Silver-rated drivers in 2024 and Ian has been one of the quickest Bronze-rated drivers. I think overall we have a really strong lineup. The Aston Martin Vantage was one of the strongest and most competitive cars last year. I can’t wait to get the season started in Qatar later this month.”

The pair will join team principal/driver Ian James, who returns to the FIA WEC for a third year with this effort after he initially formed part of the team’s original WEC driver line-up for its partial season campaign in 2023.

Last year was successful for James in the inaugural LMGT3 season racing alongside Alex Riberas and Daniel Mancinelli. He secured the team’s first WEC pole position, won Lone Star Le Mans at CoTA on home soil for Heart of Racing and finished on the podium at Qatar and Sao Paulo.

“I’m excited to see what the 2025 season holds for our team,” said James. “Zach and Mattia are both great drivers and have already shown what they can do this season at Daytona. We have a solid crew working on our Aston Martin, they have been on our car since we started in WEC. This season we will be building on the success we had the previous two seasons.”

Robichon, Drudi, James and the Heart of Racing Team will take the track in Qatar for the season prologue starting on February 20th ahead of the Qatar 1812km on February 28th.