Alex Buncombe: “Monza will play an important role”

We were more accustomed to seeing Alex buncombe in Nissan and Team RJN colors in recent years, as the British driver has been an integral part of the joint program between the Japanese manufacturer and Bob Neville's team.

An association which notably led to the Blancpain GT Series Drivers’ title Endurance Cup in 2015, with the GT-R Nismo GT3. But the beautiful story came to an abrupt end at the end of the 2018 season, with Buncombe not being extended by Nissan.

“When I found out, it was definitely disappointing to see a decade-long program come to an end, but you had to look at the positive side, and I knew something was going to happen. » Buncombe told us at Monza.

And if the Japanese manufacturer is today absent from the Blancpain scene, the most experienced driver on the field, already entered at Monza in 2011 for the first race in the history of the Blancpain GT Series, is still there under the banner Bentley Team M-Sport.

“It's also a special feeling: to be in an English team, as an English driver, continues Buncombe. I have known the team for several years now, and we have had regular contact. The opportunity has arrived to do Spa with M-Sport. My answer was yes. Monza is a bit of a last minute call. But I hope to bring my experience. »

A program where only this Monza event, and the 24 Hours of Spa, are already confirmed.

This inaugural round of the season therefore almost resembles a passing exam for Buncombe who quite logically aims to settle permanently in the seat of the No. 108 alongside Maxime Soulet and Andy Soucek, after the departure of Vincent Abril to AKKA -ASP.

“I quickly felt good, and well adjusted, in the car here at Monza, analyzes the 37-year-old pilot. We all know there's a full-time spot available in #108, so I'm hoping to get the job done. Who knows ? Perhaps this will lead to this.

I have to show that I am a good teammate, not make mistakes and be fast enough. Of course, I would like to be there at Silverstone. It would be a dream, as an official Bentley driver, to be present at my home race. Monza will play an important role. »

Bentley announced earlier this year that four works cars will line up at Spa, with Buncombe one of the new signings alongside Lucas Ordóñez, Markus Palttala, Seb Morris, Callum Macleod and Rodrigo Baptista.