Vasseur: “Lotus could be a solution”

ART Grand Prix, which would like to enter endurance, hopes to be at the start of the next 24 Hours of Le Mans. But the choice of mount has not yet been decided.

Published on 07/12/2010 à 12:45

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The news caused a stir. After winning all possible titles in F3 Euroseries from 2004 to 2009, the ART Grand Prix team leaves the discipline that made it known, and where it raced drivers of the caliber of Jamie Green, Lewis Hamilton, Paul di Resta, Romain Grosjean, Nico Hulkenberg or even Jules Bianchi.

In the same press release announcing this withdrawal, it was indicated that the evolution of the company had led ART Grand Prix to define new directions which would soon be disclosed.

A few days later, President Frédéric Vasseur revealed that he wanted to enter his team in endurance. The French team having joined forces with Lotus in GP2 and GP3 in 2011, everyone quickly made the connection between the French and the Lotus Cars brand, which also revealed its intention to enter endurance in 2012 with an LMP2 designed by Paolo Catone. When the question of such an association was asked to him, Frédéric Vasseur did not confirm the hypothesis, especially since his wish would seem to be to be present from next year.

“It could be a solution, but nothing has been decided, he says on the official website of the Sarthois double clock tower. Lotus will only enter LM P2 from 2012 so, whatever happens after that, we have to find a solution for next year. »

But there is no shortage of endurance chassis manufacturers.

“We are in contact with several suppliers, both in LM P1 and LM P2, but no decision has been made, continues Frédéric Vasseur. We are trying to establish a serious program, as we have always done. Single-seaters or prototypes, are the rules of the game the same? You need the best drivers, the best chassis, the best engine and the best team! I can simply tell you that our project is on track and that it has a good chance of succeeding. »

After Signature Plus since 2009, here is a second team having carried the colors of France high in single-seaters which could do the same in endurance. And when we know the performances achieved by ART Grand Prix in F3, GP3 and GP2, the ACO can only be delighted with such news.