Four Optimum Motorsport drivers selected for the AMR Young Driver Academy
All of the eligible drivers competing with Optimum Motorsport this year have been accepted into the Aston Martin Racing Young Driver Academy.
The re-launched programme aims to fast-track young racing talent competing with the brand’s Vantage GT3 and GT4 cars this year. Connor O’Brien, Jack Butel, Patrik Matthiesen and Ollie Wilkinson have all made the grade and will compete over the coming season for a full Junior Factory Contract in 2020.
Optimum Motorsport has entered two of the new Vantage GT4 cars into the British GT Championship this year with Connor and Jack pairing up in one car and Patrik and Mike Robinson in the sister car. The team has also entered the International GT Open Championship with Ollie and Bradley Ellis in the new GT3.
Connor is stepping up to the British GT Championship this year after two successful campaigns in the Ginetta GT5 Championship. Jack has shown great pace in LMP3 equipment and recently competed with the team in the Dubai 24H. Patrik meanwhile is set to start his second season in the GT4 category in the UK after taking his debut win in 2018, while Ollie was a front-runner in the International GT Open last season.
“Four of our young drivers have been selected for the AMR Young Driver Academy which shows the level that we expect to be competing at this year,” explained Team Principal Shaun Goff. “We’re excited about both of our British GT and GT Open programmes and building a closer relationship with the Aston Martin Racing brand. We naturally hope it is one of our young drivers who take the ultimate prize.”