Baguette: “I can’t wait to be there”

It is a major challenge that awaits Bertrand Baguette, who will discover the spectacle of American races as well as the oval circuits, which make up half of the circuits taken in IndyCar Series. After his title won in Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the Belgian is full of ambition. Having not been able to raise enough funds to arrive in F1 with a substantial budget, he chose to line up in a prominent discipline rather than inherit a role of third driver in F1, which would not have allowed him to drive much. And, like many, he goes into exile hoping to come back stronger.

« The Formula Renault 3.5 Series is the antechamber of F1, in the same way as GP2 for example, explains Bertrand Baguette. From the moment I won the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, I had no interest in competing in GP2 for a season. I have already proven myself at this level of competition. We had to turn to another discipline. We therefore quickly began discussions with my compatriot Éric Bachelart, the team manager of Conquest Racing. He was aware of my results and made us an offer to join him. Here too we had to bring a budget, but we managed to raise more funds to join IndyCar than to join an F1 team! After F1, IndyCar is the ideal formula. My goal is to succeed in the USA, with the hope of competing in the F1 World Championship one day, in good conditions. I just celebrated my 24th birthday, I still have time ahead of me. »

If he therefore keeps Formula 1 in the back of his mind, Bertrand Baguette is now focused on his chances of success in the IndyCar Series. The Belgian believes that good results in the United States could open the doors to F1 for him.

« Personally, it is very enriching, because I will discover a new approach to competition, with a different state of mind from what we know in Europe. I have a lot to learn in IndyCar, continues the native of Verviers. For this I can count on the experience of Éric Bachelart. Everything is made for the show in the United States and I think I will like it. In addition, Jacques Villeneuve, Juan-Pablo Montoya or Sébastien Bourdais have proven that there are bridges between IndyCar and F1. » (editor’s note: Villeneuve was titled in IndyCar, Bourdais and Montoya in ChampCar)

The schedule for the coming weeks will be busy for Bertrand Baguette. “ I will attend the second race of the season, in St. Petersburg, Florida. This will allow me to get my bearings in the discipline. Then I will take part in a day of testing with my team, where I will drive the car for the first time. Then my first race will come quickly, it will be April 11 in Birmingham, Alabama. I will compete there in the first of my fifteen races on the program this year. I'm going to have to learn so many things in a short time, starting with the car, then oval racing. I can not wait to be there ! »

Although he knows that this season will be full of learning and that he will have to learn many things, he does not forget his title in Formula Renault 3.5 Series, which allowed him to become better known in the world of motorsport. , and promises to honor him. “ Everything is going to come together very well, the program is busy, but I promise, I will do everything to come to at least one round of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. »