Four Mercedes for AKKA-ASP in 2019

The AKKA-ASP team will not do things by halves FFSAGT in 2019. The Rabastens structure (Tarn) will align four Mercedes-AMG GT4 with big ambitions. The return of Fabien Barthez to France accompanied by Aurélien Panis was already known. They will be joined by the outgoing vice-champions in Pro-Am Jean-Luc Beaubelique and Jim Pla, who are going on the attack again together in addition to their commitment in the Blancpain GT Series.

COMMITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Le @AKKAASPTEAM engage @MercedesAMG en #ffsagt :

#16: @AurelienPanis-Fabien Barthez
#87: @PlaJim-Jean-Luc Beaubelique
#88: Benjamin Ricci-@thomasdrouetoff
#53: Christophe Bourret-Pascal Gibon

https://t.co/2mBbOGG1eE pic.twitter.com/tDu4xj4xIq

— FFSA GT – GT4 France (@ffsa_gt) March 5, 2019

Arriving 10th in 2018, the young pair composed of Benjamin Ricci and Thomas Drouet returns for a second year in a row. The third Mercedes will be entrusted to gentlemen drivers Christophe Bourret and Pascal Gibon. The first named won the GTE-Am category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2013 while his teammate has several participations in the Le Mans classic and in the GT Tour with AKKA-ASP. 

The team boss Jérôme Policand knows the difficulty required by the participation of four cars in FFSA GT. “With more than 40 crews entered at each meeting, scoring points in each race is already a challenge. Our Mercedes are more comfortable on fast circuits (like Paul-Ricard) that sinuous (such as Pau) but in the end you will have to be consistent to be able to claim the crown. 

In races lasting just one hour, no one is safe from the grain of sand which can jam the machine. We have four talented, experienced and very sharp crews, we will give our all, as always, to be at the forefront”, he warns.