Lilou Wadoux

1. Who is Lilou Wadoux?
2. Lilou Wadoux’s junior career
3. Lilou Wadoux’s journey in Endurance
4. AutoHebdo's opinion on Lilou Wadoux
5. Learn more about Lilou Wadoux

1. Who is Lilou Wadoux?

Lilou Wadoux is a French Endurance and Grand Touring driver, born April 10, 2001 in Amiens (Somme). Official Ferrari Competizione GT driver, she currently competes with the Richard Mille AF Corse team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Lilou Wadoux, official Ferrari Competizione GT driver in Endurance / © DPPI

2. Lilou Wadoux’s junior career

Lilou Wadoux started her karting journey late in life: first a tennis player in her younger years, the Amiens native had to decide to stop after a back injury. Her father Cédric, a rally enthusiast, inspired his daughter to start karting at the age of 14 on the Arvillers circuit, in the Somme.

Helped at the start of her career by two other pilots, Julien and Florian Briché, friends of the Wadoux family, the young Picarde experienced a rapid rise. First in national competitions, in the Peugeot 208 Cup, in the Clio Cup, on French circuits like Paul Ricard or Nevers-Magny-Cours, his favorite. Then at the European level, with the TCR European Championship and theAlpine Europa Cup with Autosport GP.

Lilou Wadoux, winner in Alpine Elf Europa Cup / © DPPI

It is precisely in Alpine Europa Cup that Lilou Wadoux reveals herself. Seventh in the championship in her first season with Autosport GP, she finished third in 2021 with one victory and 8 podiums in 12 races. Her performances caught the eye of sponsors, and in particular Richard Mille, who recruited her for his LMP2 team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the 2022 season.

3. Lilou Wadoux’s journey in Endurance

Lilou Wadoux takes his first steps in the WEC in 2022 in a high-level squad, alongside Charles Milesi, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2021 in the LMP2 category, and Sébastien Ogier, eight-time world rally champion (WRC) in the within the Richard Mille Racing team. A team then managed by Signatech and its director Philippe Sinault, who also manages theAlpine EnduranceTeam.

Sébastien Ogier, Lilou Wadoux, and Charles Milesi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans / © DPPI

For her first season in WEC, Lilou Wadoux impresses with solid racing performances for a rookie in Endurance, but also in prototype.

If the year was not crowned with success, with only 30 points and 12th place in the LMP2 championship, the Frenchwoman was able to discover the world of Endurance but also the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in her career . For her first participation in Sarthe, Lilou Wadoux finished 6th.

At the end of 2022, she was invited by the WEC to participate in the Rookie Tests with a Toyota Hypercar, thanks to her performances during the season. She thus becomes the first woman since Vanina Ickx in 2011 to drive a car in the premier category in Endurance.

In 2023, Lilou Wadoux was recruited by Ferrari and became the first female official Competizione GT driver of the Prancing Horse. She continues her involvement in the WEC, this time in LMGTE Am, and still within the Richard Mille and AF Corse fold. The native of Amiens drives the No. 488 Ferrari 3 GT83 with Luis Pérez Companc and Alessio Rovera.

Luis Pérez Companc, Lilou Wadoux, and Alessio Rovera on the Spa podium / © DPPI

Luis Pérez Companc, Lilou Wadoux, and Alessio Rovera on the podium of the 6 Hours of Spa in WEC / © DPPI

During the 6 Hours of Portimão, Lilou Wadoux took her first podium in the World Endurance Championship in the LMGTE Am category. Two weeks later, during the 6 Hours of Spa, the Picardy became the first woman to win a race in the WEC. at the end of a masterful weekend.

For her return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Frenchwoman was the victim of a serious off-road event at the entrance to the Porsche bends, trapped by the rain. Emerging unscathed from the accident, Lilou Wadoux and her team were however forced to retire at Le Mans. She will return with a 6th place acquired during the 6 Hours of Monza.

In parallel with the World Endurance Championship, Lilou Wadoux also discovers other competitions, notably in the United States where she participates in the IMSA championship in a few LMP2 races, with AF Corse. She also takes part in meetings in GT World Challenge Europe and America to gain experience.

4. AutoHebdo's opinion on Lilou Wadoux

Lilou Wadoux embodies, with Doriane Pin, the new generation of French female pilots born in the XNUMXst century. The youth, mentality and passion of Picardy are a major asset which allows us to envisage the best for the rest of her career. A very clean driver on the track who learns very quickly, the Frenchwoman could see herself opening the doors to Hypercar in the years to come. His links with Ferrari will undoubtedly be a springboard for his future in motorsport. And why not, become the first woman to win a race in the premier category of Endurance?