Steven Palette: “Markus Winkelhock is the guide I will follow”

In the Saintéloc Racing stand, a newcomer will appear in the Blancpain GT Series this season. Alongside captains Markus Winkelhock and Christopher Haase, both seconded by Audi Sport Customer Racing, Steven Palette will contest its first full campaign in the GT3 series.

A double program World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup long awaited by the former champion Peugeot RCZ Racing Cup and former resident of the Porsche Carrera Cup France / Supercup.

« Sébastien Chétail and Frédéric Thalamy (boss and sporting director of Saintéloc Racing) also made efforts for me to come, confesses Palette. After a somewhat “calm” year in 2017, I’m happy.

Saintéloc is constantly progressing, the support of Markus and Christopher Haase is important, as is that of Audi in the Blancpain GT Series. The choice of brand also mattered. »

Palette will compete in the Blancpain GT Series, in the Ligier JS Cup, but also in FFSAGT with the Audi R8 LMS GT4 alongside Mickaël Blanchemain. That's a strong program of around twenty races this season, which should mark a milestone in the Frenchman's progress.

“We are getting to know each other with Markus. He's very open, a bit old-fashioned in his approach to motorsport, but I like it. Today, we need a mix on this point. The data… all this is good, but you also need feeling.

We sometimes tend to put it aside, and Markus is the first to tell me not to forget my feeling. I plan to draw on his experience. He is the guide that I will follow. This is also what made me come to Saintéloc Racing. »

Although he will be lined up alongside the German in World Challenge Europe, Steven Palette will not find Winkelhock in the Endurance Cup at Monza, Saintéloc Racing having reshuffled its crews for the opening of the championship.

Palette will ride with Simon Gachet and Christopher Haase on the No. 25, when Winkelhock will reinforce the crew of the No. 26 with the French FFSA GT champion Fabien Michal and Pierre-Yves Paque.

Rapid adaptation

In terms of his performance on the track, Steven Palette does not admit to being worried when facing a peloton that is often more experienced. But the native of Vierzon is counting on his past in motorsport to rise to the level.

“The Audi R8 LMS GT3 is a relatively easy car to handle, Palette analysis. On the other hand, to go very quickly, we realize that there are very specific points to work on. This is where we are right now.

What has changed the most for me, compared to what I know, is that there are fewer mass transfers and body movements. The car is much more composed. High-speed aero delivers impressive corner entry speeds. You have to find the right balance, with a window between the maximum attack and the reduced foul. I need miles.

I'm not worried about the fight on the track, the adaptation to the old tires... I have to work on the top speed on the new tire. Those who have two or three years with the car will be better than me on this point. The dual Sprint and Endurance program offers maximum rolling, and it would have been a mistake to do only one of the two. »

With the WRT crews, but also Phoenix Racing and Attempto Racing, Saintéloc Racing will spearhead Audi Sport this weekend at Monza. A track where the trio Dries Vanthoor – Christopher Mies – Alex Riberas imposed their R8 LMS GT3 – WRT in 2018.