Bengaluru, Jul 31 (IANS): Bengaluru based Akhil Rabindra has been retained by the Aston Martin Racing (AMR) Driver Academy for the 2020 season. Rabindra, who last year became the only Asian to make it to the AMR Driver Academy, will be among 12 elite drivers from around the world under its umbrella.

They would undergo a year of training and assessment with the AMR team in the United Kingdom. At the end of the calendar year the best performer will land a contract of a junior driver in 2021, with the factory Aston Martin Racing team.

"I look forward to the season starting and getting on the podium again. I would like to thank my sponsors, ASM Technologies, SmartFix& Forms and Gears for their continued support and faith in my dream," said Rabindra.

Rabindra with his European team achieved a total of four podiums, including the first ever podium for the brand-new AMR Vantage GT4 in Mugello, showing his and the car's capability.

He made his debut with Aston Martin in the United States of America where he participated in the IMSA putting up a strong performance in the qualification races. His qualification pole position and P3 in Road Atlanta and Road America respectively was followed by achieving a top 6 finish in Laguna Seca.

Akhil with his New Aston Martin Vantage GT4 also secured a 2nd place finish in the 2019 24H GT Series European, held at the Mugello Circuit Italy, in March.