Mathieu de Barbuat: “Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a prototype”

At 17, Mathieu de Barbuat will begin his second year in Endurance. A year ago, however, the young Frenchman had never set foot in a prototype. Last June, everything accelerated when he was called by Mülhner Motorsport to compete in the second round of the season in Michelin. Le Mans Cup, which took place at the Paul-Ricard circuit. “I had done a test on a Ligier at Magny-Cours, but we also had contacts with Duqueine, remembers Mathieu de Barbuat in the Dubai paddock. Mülhner wrote back to us on Sunday just before the race asking if I could come ride. We had two days to find all the necessary items as well as the license. It was complicated, it was done at the last minute. » 

A sudden arrival in the world of Endurance which did not disturb the young man. “Once everything was in place, the times followed. I took fourth place in qualifying and I could have had the best time if I hadn't made a mistake in the last sector.” A performance that did not escape the DKR Engineering team. “They contacted me after the race at Le Castellet. They told me they needed a bronze and they thought I was pretty good.” After participating in Road to Le Mans with Cool Racing, Mathieu de Barbuat found himself in the Duqueine of the Luxembourg team for the 4 Hours of Monza. First race in ELMS and first victory. Alongside Laurents Hörr, from whom he told us he learned a lot, the Frenchman followed up with a second success in Belgium, at the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, and the two men allowed DKR Engineering to pocket the title of champion in the LM P3 category and obtain a ticket for the 24 2022 Hours of Le Mans, in LM P2.

However, Mathieu de Barbuat, looking for a sponsor, is not yet certain of being able to compete in the Sarthoise classic with the team that introduced him to Endurance. “It would be great to do it with him,” hopes Kendy Janclaes, the team boss. “I'm trying to find sponsors to go to LM P2 next year or even this year, adds the pilot. The goal is to be in LMH or LMDh for the 24 Hours of Le Mans within three or four years. It's the most legendary race in the world and I want to win it in a prototype. » While waiting to see what the future holds, Mathieu de Barbuat and DKR Engineering arrive with the ambition to continue their joint momentum in this 2022 Asian Le Mans Series. 

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