2016 WEC GTE Pro title winners and Aston Martin Racing factory drivers Nicki Thiim and Marco Sørensen (below) are set to compete for the first time in the full British GT Championship, with Aston Martin customer team TF Sport in 2018.

Derek Johnston, who claimed the 2016 British GT title with another AMR factory driver, Jonny Adam, will race with Sørensen while Mark Farmer, a race winner in the series, will be joined by Thiim. Both driver pairings will race in Aston Martin Vantage GT3s in the British GT’s GT3 class.

“To have Nicki and Marco join us is a great story,” Tom Ferrier, TF Sport’s Director said. “They are both some of the fastest guys in GT cars and having worked with Nicki last year I have experienced this first hand. Derek and Mark are going to have to raise their game to keep up with these guys! If they do that, we will be winning races from the outset. A big thanks to AMR for letting us have these guys for the year.”

Marco Sørensen added: “I’m really excited to be joining the British GT Championship. I last raced in the UK in 2008 in Formula Ford and as soon as I knew this deal was happening, I looked up the tracks and I’m pleased to say that they’re all on there!

“To start a new series with a team like TF Sport is extra-special as they’re a top team and have demonstrated that they know how to win. I’ll be pairing up with Derek and he’s a great guy. It will be challenging for the both of us and it’s my job to make him go as fast as possible. I’m not used to the Pro – Am format, but I’ll coach him my way and I’m sure we’ll have a great battle for wins and the title – with the guys on the other side of the garage!”

Nicki Thiim concluded: “This should be a lot of fun, it’s an amazing opportunity. I’ve met Mark, he’s an interesting guy – he told me – I think it was at Sebring – about many of his races and he’s obviously quick, so I look forward to working with him in the new year!

“For my side, it’s all about new challenges with Aston Martin. We had a great time with TF Sport in the ELMS this year, and this will be the same. They’re a great bunch of guys and I know Brands, Silverstone, but have yet to experience all of the British circuits. It’s great to stay with TF Sport and be with those guys again, it’s really important and I’m looking forward to joining the British GT scene.”

It will not be Thiim’s TF debut. TF Sport competed in the ELMS in 2017, securing second place in the GTE class championship with the Dane as part of its line-up, earning an auto entry to the Le Mans 24 Hours in the process.