Volante Rosso Motorsport rising star Alex Gardner will miss the remainder of the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS season.
After contesting the team’s recent entry into the Championship behind the wheel of its Aston Martin Vantage GT3, Gardner has now withdrawn with immediate effect to focus on his schooling.
With the talented teenager approaching the final set of his Queensland Certificate of Education exams - two of which occur during the Bathurst International - a mutual decision was made between the Gardner family and Volante Rosso for him to temporarily step away from the sport and complete his schooling.
The Queenslander is expected to return to the team at the start of next year to tackle the Championship’s 2025 campaign.
As for his replacement, the team has acquired the services of international driver Jamie Day, who boasts a wealth of experience and has enjoyed plenty of success along the way.
The 19-year-old is an Aston Martin Academy driver, who finished this season as champion in Silver Cup and second overall in the GT4 Class of the British GT Championship. Day holds the distinction of being both the youngest pole-sitter and race winner in British GT Championship history.
Day has also raced the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in Germany’s ADAC GT Masters, while sampling the Fanatec GT America and GT4 European Series representing the British marque.
Day will partner up with fellow debutant Andre Canard in the Volante Rosso Aston Martin for the highly anticipated three-hour race after the Filipino driver was confirmed earlier this month.
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS holds its penultimate round of the season this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries.
QUOTES
Alex Gardner
Volante Rosso driver
“While I would love to be on track racing with everyone again, unfortunately, the next two races clash with my final Year 12 exams here in Queensland,” said Gardner.
”It’s been a tough decision and quite difficult trying to arrange to do both. As I’ve only got one opportunity to graduate, I need to focus on that and give it my all.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed racing in the category so far and have learnt a lot. After I graduate, it’s full steam ahead preparing for the 2025 racing season, and I can’t wait.”
“What I’ve been able to do this year with the support of Volante Rosso has been incredible. I’m very grateful to all who have been involved, particularly Chris Papadopoulos and Josh Hunt for their unwavering belief in me, encouragement and guidance.
“My sponsors have also been a great support and I look forward to continuing this journey together. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed representing Aston Martin Racing here in Australia and am looking forward to continuing this next year.”
Josh Hunt
Volante Rosso Motorsport Director
“This is obviously a very difficult call for Alex and his family to have made, but it’s a decision I commend him for,” said Hunt.
“It's obviously not an easy decision to make and it requires a lot of maturity. There are a lot of young drivers out there who wouldn't do something like this, so for Alex to recognise the importance of his education is quite remarkable.
“We have been super impressed with Alex this year and he has done a fantastic job in the car and with the team. With this said, he has our full support and we are looking forward to having him back for 2025 and building on what we started.
“He is part of the family and I have no doubt this relationship will continue to thrive as we help him reach his dream of driving in Le Mans and being a factory driver.”