Aston Martin CEO scores podium in 24-hour Texan test

Aston Martin CEO and President Dr. Andy Palmer and his teammates are flying home with a suitcase full of silverware, after claiming second place in the Hankook 24 Hours of Circuit of The Americas' SP3 class. Joined by Radio Le Mans commentator John Hindhaugh, Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood and 2017 Nurburgring 24-Hour class winner Peter Cate, the race was the climax of a year's preparation for Palmer, following a string of Aston Martin Owners Club race entries throughout the year at Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Rockingham and Silverstone.

With the race split in two halves - 9:00am to 11:00pm on Saturday and 8:00am to 6:00pm on Sunday - the team lapped competitively against their rivals and accumulated a full lap advantage by the fourth hour. It wasn't all plain sailing however. Contact from another competitor and a damaged front-right ball-joint caused by on-track debris warranted two separate trips to the garage. The team's pit crew - formed from the company's Special Projects division and Nurburgring test centre - repaired and released the car back to the circuit amassing just a 15 lap deficit to the leading car in the SP3 class following both incidents.

Despite the small setback, the quartet rallied and worked tirelessly as they drove into the darkness of Saturday night and continued to run faultlessly throughout Sunday. After reducing the deficit to five laps with the leaders suffering mechanical issues, the team secured second place at the chequered flag, with Hollywood bringing the Nexcel-liveried Vantage GT8 home.

Palmer said following the race, "That was marvellous. To take second place was great and it could have been first if we hadn't suffered damage to the car. But actually, I think that makes this finish rather special. Often people focus on the drivers, but what the team did to make each of those repairs so quickly and efficiently shows their quality and expertise. To get the deficit back down to five laps after our earlier issues wasn't down to just one driver, but to the whole team and I think that encapsulates the spirit of Aston Martin and racing in general."

While the team claimed second in the race, they were victorious in another competition; Radio Le Mans' coveted Spirit of the Race Award chosen by listeners and fans around the world. Palmer added, "To not only take away silverware but to receive the acknowledgement from fans worldwide is deeply heart-warming and I thank everyone who watched and supported us throughout the weekend."