GT3: Graff wants his revenge

This year, the squad chosen by Graff Racing in the FIA ​​GT3 European Championship will have a strong Swiss feel. With the exception of Mike Parisy, the three other drivers come straight from our Swiss neighbors. Already present last year as a teammate of Parisy, Joakim Lambotte will now no longer be able to assist the Palois, being considered a “Silver” driver. He will therefore team up with Gary Hirsch, already seen in the team in 2007 in Formula Renault 2.0, in the French and European championships. “ Here I am back within Graff Racing, a comeback that I particularly appreciate because it is a rigorous and professional team, declared this 24-year-old pilot. After karting and car, the GT is a new step in my journey. I discovered this category in 2010 with the program Ferrari 599XX and I intend to aim for the podium with Joakim ". Who is delighted with the duo. “ I think we are a young and fast crew », For his part confided Lambotte.

Mike Parisy sera donc accompagné par Philippe Giauque, lequel s?est illustré dans le passé en Porsche Cup. Reprendre depuis le début avec un nouveau compagnon de route ne semble pas entacher la motivation du Français « I am continuing from last season where I took 3rd place in the FIA ​​GT3 European Championship thanks to the remarkable work of Graff, because we were discovering this category and the European circuits. The new SLS AMG GT3 seems truly efficient, reliable and looks fantastic. My goal will be to win the title with my new teammate ". " This will be my first season in GT after having driven a lot in Porsche Cup, explains Philippe Giauque for his part. Mike?s advice and experience will, of course, be very useful to me in quickly progressing. I am surprised by my fairly rapid adaptation to the SLS AMG which is a fantastic car in every way. Having the trust and support of Graff is an additional element of motivation ».

For Jean-Philippe Grand, the choice of drivers and cars suggests good prospects. “ The season is really shaping up in the best possible way, both in France and in Europe, I am lucky to have solid and complementary crews, all crowned by exceptional cars. Mike Parisy is incredibly fast and will pull the other drivers up. I look forward to the start of the season with confidence. What I fear the most is the way in which international bodies will want to balance the performance of cars, especially ours. He concluded.

Find the exclusive test of the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 in AUTO issue 1799hebdo, on newsstands currently, and the video in by clicking here.