Hugo Delacour (AF Corse) : "After Spa, there will be Le Mans"

The name Hugo Delacour may not be familiar to you as the French driver is competing in his second season of motorsport this year. A successful entrepreneur, Hugo Delacour started last year in the Ferrari Challenge before moving on to the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe (Endurance + Sprint) this season in a Ferrari 488 GT3/AF Corse with Cédric Sbirrazzuoli and Alessandro Balzan. 

The next step will be the WEC in 2023, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the menu. Before turning to the new objectives, AF Corse must already ensure a good 2022 season. Absent from Zandvoort for family reasons, Hugo Delacour has had a very good start to the season, even if the Road to Le Mans was complicated (withdrawal in race 1, 6th in race 2). 

2022 is a big step forward for you...

"The initial plan was to race in the International GT Open this year. We wanted to do three levels: Ferrari Challenge, International GT Open and then GT World Challenge Europe. I'm interested in endurance racing, so we made the decision to speed things up. The level of the championship is unbelievable, you can compare yourself to other cars of the same brand."

Is competing in both championships necessarily a advantage ? 

"With Cédric, we said that combining Sprint and Endurance was positive because it allows me to have more experience by taking more starts. The season started well with an Endurance podium at Imola and then a Sprint win at Brands Hatch."

You've only recently arrived in motorsport. Why didn't you start earlier ?

"I have no experience in karting and single-seaters. I was always interested in motorsport but life didn't take me any further. I did a test in the Ferrari Challenge and the adventure started with Cédric who has been my coach since I started racing. The podium in Am on my debut in Ferrari Challenge put me in a good dynamic. Here, it's something else because it's the top of the top." 

Was there a bit of apprehension ?

"Obviously when you see the list of drivers on track. If you are slower, you have to push yourself but I didn't have any problems. My main objective is to have fun because without fun, there is no point to continue. With Cédric, we get along well on and off the track." 

Are you already preparing for the future ? 

"The objective is to move up to the WEC next season. For me, Le Mans has always been a goal. We will start testing in GTE in the autumn. I'm delighted to be able to experience GTE in a car without ABS. Cédric and I should be supported by a Ferrari driver who has yet to be determined. Before that, there will be the 24 Hours of Spa, which will serve as preparation for Le Mans in 2023."