Paul-Loup Chatin replaces Sébastien Ogier at Richard Mille

Expected for several weeks, the departure of Sébastien Ogier from the Richard Mille Racing Team was made official this Tuesday by the person concerned. The French team therefore had little time to find a replacement for the eight-time world rally champion, the fourth round of the season WEC taking place on July 10 in Monza. It didn't take long, since Paul-Loup Chatin was in Bourges on Wednesday to paraphrase his contract and mold his seat. The 30-year-old Frenchman thus finds the Signatech structure of Philippe Sinault, with whom he competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014 (3rd in LM P2) and 2015 (retirement).

« We knew that Sébastien Ogier could not do the entire season with us given his busy schedule and we will of course miss him, confides Amanda Mille. For this new line-up, we are delighted to welcome Paul-Loup Chatin to the team. He will be an asset to once again form a very interesting and competitive crew. »

“A fantastic opportunity”

Paul-Loup Chatin is of course delighted with this new challenge: “I am really happy to join the Richard Mille Racing Team. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m extremely flattered that they thought of me. My goals are quite simple and clear. Above all, I want to put myself at the service of the team and my teammates to rise as high as possible. I also hope to help them with my LMP2 experience on three circuits that I know well. It is also a pleasure to open a new chapter with the Signatech team, with whom I have already had good times for three years. »

“We are very happy to welcome Paul-Loup Chatin, adds Philippe Sinault, director of Signatech and team manager of the Richard Mille Racing Team. We maintain excellent relations with Sébastien Ogier, with whom we have only fond memories. He was kind enough to announce his decision to us in advance. We respect it and we were able to anticipate our search for the ideal replacement. If he is about to don the Richard Mille colors for the first time in his career, we know Paul-Loup extremely well. His qualities, his talent and his ability to adapt allowed us to brilliantly defend our title in the European Le Mans Series in 2014 and to provide solid foundations for our first campaign in the FIA ​​World Championship.Endurance. Paul-Loup has always been fast in the LMP2 category and we have no doubts about his integration. With Charles and Lilou, this new crew looks very exciting to begin the second half of the season! »   

This year, Chatin is riding for IDEC Sport in the European Le Mans Series. He finished eighth at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LM P2 category alongside Paul Lafargue and Patrick Pilet. The winner of the 24 2021 Hours of Daytona in the LM P2 category with Era Motorsport will therefore be associated from the 6 Hours of Monza with Charles Milesi and Lilou Wadoux. A circuit where the new RMR driver has already shone since he took third place in 2021 with Racing Team Nederland.

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