Highly accomplished Finnish racing driver Toni Vilander is making his return to Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS competition at the upcoming Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS. He joins the grid as the third driver for the No. 163 Ferrari 296 GT3, but his history in the series dates back much further. A name synonymous with endurance racing success, Vilander's re-entry into the 2024 event with AF Corse marks another exciting chapter in his storied career.
As a former factory driver and current Ambassador driver, Vilander boasts an extensive and impressive resume in GT racing with Ferrari. He has clinched victories in some of the world’s most prestigious endurance events, including two wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012 and 2014, both with AF Corse, a team he has seen continued success with for over a decade. He also claimed a victory in the coveted Bathurst 12 Hour in 2017, this time driving for Maranello Motorsport.
He went on to prove himself as a competitor with championship winning caliber by clinching the Overall and SprintX titles in Pirelli World Challenge in 2018, taking six wins and two more podiums in the process in the R. Ferri Motorsport Ferrari 488 GT3.
He followed up his stellar performance by taking the Pro-Am crown in the Blancpain GT World Challenge America in 2019, accumulating seven victories and five podiums, in addition to three pole positions and two fastest laps.
That same year he also dipped his toes in the Intercontinental GT Challenge with Spirit of Race, as well as the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance championship with AF Corse in the Pro-Am class. He made singular race appearances in both series, and went on to return for another one-off race in the latter in 2020, this time in the Pro category with SMP Racing.
Vilander’s experience at Indianapolis in particular is substantial, having delivered a commendable second-place finish in the Pro-Am class with AF Corse back in the 2020 edition of the eight hour event.
2023 saw him briefly step away from endurance competition as he took on new projects in his ambassador role for the Prancing Horse, making his imminent arrival at the Speedway even more anticipated.
For the team, his return is not just about rekindling an old partnership but reigniting the winning mentality they have shared. As the countdown to October begins, Vilander and AF Corse will be aiming to conquer and make their mark on Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis 8 Hour is set to take place from October 4-5, 2024, featuring some of the best GT drivers and teams from around the globe. With Vilander back on board, AF Corse is ready to add another chapter to its illustrious endurance racing history.