Saintéloc Racing has signed Nicolas Baert to take part in the 2022 season of the GT World Challenge Europe.
The young Belgian has been returning for some years in the world of TCR touring racing, where he won the Junior classification of the 2020 European Championship, earning the Rookie of the Year award from RACB, the Belgian motorsport federation.
For him it is a new challenge at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS GT3, always remaining tied to the brand of the Four Rings since he previously raced with the RS 3 LMS TCR, but not unprecedented since he took part in the 8h of Indianapolis of the Intercontinental GT Challenge with the car managed by the French team.
“I really enjoyed TCR Europe, but I have two dreams: to win the 24h of Spa and the 24h of Le Mans one day – says Baert, son of the Comtoyou Racing boss. So it seemed logical to me to switch to endurance and GT3 racing, in particular at the GT World Challenge Europe, which is a very competitive series. It was the best choice. “
“I already know the team quite well, in mid-October I participated in the Indianapolis 8 with them. It was my first contact with the GT and I really enjoyed it! If it wasn’t for a penalty that sent us back to 7 Th place, we would have finished at the foot of the podium “.
“Since then, I have also participated in the e-Trophée Andros with Saintéloc and I will be at the start of the 9 Hours of Kyalami this weekend. In fact it is nothing completely new and I am convinced that we can achieve great things together.”
“I can only say that, even if this is a year of learning, the goal will not be to make an appearance, but to aim for the podium in the Silver Cup category”.
Nicolas Baert, Comtoyou Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS TCR
Photo by: TCR media
At Saintéloc Racing there is great satisfaction and work continues to find Baert’s two companions, who can support him in the Sprint and Endurance Cup.
“We discovered Nicolas in Indianapolis and he immediately impressed us with his ability to adapt to the Audi R8 LMS GT3 – says Sébastien Chetail, Head of the French team – He convinced us once again with his progress in the e-Trophée Andros, where he never stopped improving every time he hit the ice rink “.
“Going through this comprehensive program together in the GT World Challenge Europe will allow us to work on a long-term partnership, with all the benefits that this brings. His experience in single-seaters and touring will help him, but now he needs to learn the intricacies. of GT racing. It has the potential to make a name for itself and we will do everything we can to make sure that happens. “
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