Boutsen VDS partners with Mercedes for 2024

A little over a year after formalizing their association, Count Marc van der Straten and Olivier Lainé want to advance the Belgian team to an additional level from 2024. Thus, a new partnership with Mercedes-AMG has been signed to field two AMG GT3s across the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS next year. One of the two will be entered in the Pro class and entrusted to Mercedes-AMG Performance and Mercedes-AMG Junior drivers. She will aim for victory in the general classification in the Sprint Cup and in Endurance Cup, notably during the centenary edition of the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. The second will fight in the Gold Cup class or in the Silver Cup, depending on the categorization of the drivers who will be designated to take the wheel.

« I was delighted to return to the paddocks of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe in 2023 and I enjoyed myself within the team led by Olivier Lainé, his wife Olivia Boutsen and their son Amaury, confides Marc van der Straten with a broad smile. I am proud of what we have achieved, notably with this title of best Team in the Gold Cup class, both in the Sprint championship and in the Overall ranking combining Sprint and Endurance. From the start, we had the idea with OIivier to also be able to fight for the general classification as soon as possible. This will therefore be the case from next year and I am delighted. The dream would obviously be for the feline to win the 24 Hours of Spa a second time, nine years after the success with my team... It's a big challenge, but luck only smiles on the bold! »

After having entered Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo IIs for two years, the Boutsen VDS team will therefore change partners from 2024. “ I would first of all like to thank Audi Sport for these two years of collaboration, confides Olivier Lainé. However, for the future of the team, the opportunity that presented itself with Mercedes-AMG was unmissable. We will enter two cars throughout the championship, including one in Pro with Mercedes-AMG Performance and Mercedes-AMG Junior drivers. It's a big challenge for us, but it's also very exciting and motivating. I would also like to thank Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, and the entire Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing team for their trust. We are already at work and we will do our best to make this collaboration a success. »

The drivers to drive the Mercedes-AMG GT3s sporting the famous feline will be announced at a later date, with the Wavre-based team currently in the process of finalizing the line-ups. “ Furthermore, we will obviously continue our involvement in Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe, completes Olivia Boutsen. We have been active in this championship for several seasons and it is a perfect complement to our GT3 program. We also placed one of our crews on the final podium in the Am class last year and we will have great ambitions again in 2024. »

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