Former Aston Martin factory driver Fernando Rees has announced his retirement from professional motor racing.

The 33-year-old Brazilian raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship with AMR’s GTE-Pro team between 2014-16 and also spent two seasons in GTE-Am with Larbre Competition.

In an Instagram post, Rees told his followers that he has “found other things in life that now interest me more”.

He did not confirm whether he will see out the remainder of this year’s International GT Open with the Ombra Racing Lamborghini squad.

Rees and co-driver Damiano Fioravanti are currently ninth in the drivers’ standings with three rounds remaining.

“After putting much thought into this for the past months, I have decided to stop racing altogether as of now,” said Rees.

“It’s entirely my own independent decision, and I’m absolutely comfortable with it.

“I feel that I’ve taken a great weight off my shoulders, and now I’m happy and free to dedicate myself entirely to other things that answer my natural demand for challenge in life.”

Rees said that he will provide a detailed explanation of his retirement decision in an upcoming book.

The 2017 Le Mans GTE-Am pole sitter was originally set to race in the WEC this year, but lost his seat in the Larbre Competition Ligier JS P217 Gibson at short notice.

Rees was replaced in the French team’s lineup by 2017 LMP2 champion Julien Canal after a funding issue arose.

“Dream or not, at the end of the day, a job is a job,” said Rees.

“It has its ups and downs, and sometimes you just feel that you need to breathe new air.

“Being a professional race car driver was my only childhood dream, and probably among the first independent thoughts of my life.

“I’m entirely grateful for conquering and living that dream for more than 10 years.”