BANBURY-based Aston Martin Racing were crowned the Le Mans Series champions at Silverstone.

The 007 car driven by Czech duo Jan Charouz and Tomáš Enge, together with Germany’s Stefan Mücke, finished third in the final round of the competition, the Autosport 1000km.

Team Oreca Matmut AIM claimed the race victory with Speedy Racing Team Sebah runners-up.

But the Aston Martin team’s fifth podium finish from five races gave them the team title and the drivers’ championship.

Their triumph also came 50 years on from Aston Martin winning the World Sportscar Championship in 1959.

Darren Turner, from Chacombe, near Banbury, and Harold Primat in Aston Martin’s 009 car just missed out on a podium place, finishing fourth – the place they also occupied in the final standings.

Team principal George Howard-Chappell said: “This is a perfect end to what has been an incredible season for Aston Martin Racing.

“Thanks to the dedication of the team the cars have been reliable all year.

“To end the season on the podium at our home race where the support for the team has been fantastic is really the icing on the cake.”

Turner commented: “I’m really pleased for the team. It’s great that 007 won the championship and we also had a good finish to the season in the 009 Aston Martin.

“The result is a credit to everyone who is part of the Aston Martin Racing team.”