Saintéloc Junior Team between novelty and continuity in 2023

Keeping its philosophy. Saintéloc Junior Team is approaching the 2023 campaign with the same ambition as twelve months ago : to help young drivers progress in a competitive and professional environment. A line of conduct which has presided over a very good 2022 campaign, both in Pro and Silver Cup, with a return to the top step of the overall podium in Hockenheim. Sébastien Chetail's team will be able to count on high-potential crews to compete in the ten events of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe.

Two Audi R8 LMS GT3s will be lined up in the Endurance Cup for the trios Patric Niederhauser - Christopher Mies - Simon Gachet and Erwan Bastard - Paul Evrard - Grégoire Demoustier. Saintéloc Junior Team will enter three cars in the Sprint Cup for the duos Patric Niederhauser - Erwan Bastard, Christopher Mies - Grégoire Demoustier and Simon Gachet - Paul Evrard.

The team has been involved with Audi Sport for almost a decade and continues to enjoy the support of the Neuburg-based manufacturer. Thus, the official drivers Patric Niederhauser and Christopher Mies will still be part of the team after their successful 2022 season, while Simon Gachet, promoted to official driver, will return to Saintéloc with whom he won the Sprint Cup in Silver Cup in 2020. These three regulars of the category will bring all their experience in the Sprint Cup to the young talents Erwan Bastard and Paul Evrard, and the returning Grégoire Demoustier.

Erwan Bastard, who was the attraction of the GT4 scene in 2022, with a double FFSA GT and GT4 Europe title in the Silver Cup under the Saintéloc Junior Team banner, will make the step from GT4 to GT3, competing for the entire season. Already seen in the Audi R8 LMS GT3 during 2022 Intercontinental GT Challenge season finale in Abu Dhabi, with a final podium finish, Erwan's progression fully validates the internal pyramid set up by the Saint-Etienne-based team.

After two successful seasons in GT4, with a third place in the FFSA GT Silver Cup in 2022, Paul Evrard will also make the big jump to GT3 this season. A programme that will include a promising partnership with Simon Gachet in the Sprint Cup, while familiarising himself with the Endurance format.

Grégoire Demoustier, a well-known figure in the French FFSA GT Championship over the last few seasons, will return to a category where he distinguished himself a few years ago. The Frenchman won at Monza in 2014 before making his debut with Saintéloc Racing the following year at the Nürburgring. This eclectic driver (GT, Touring, Rallycross) will have a great card to play in the Sprint Cup with Christopher Mies.

Patric Niederhauser : I'm very happy to continue with Saintéloc Junior Team. After an already very successful 2022 year, we'll have high goals together for the upcoming season.

Christopher Mies : I am looking forward to be back with Saintéloc and this time also in the Sprint series. We kicked off together in a great way last year, got a win in Hockenheim as a highlight. But my personal highlight was the birth of my son Paul during the 24 Hours of Spa, without the support of Saintéloc Racing I would have missed the birth. I’m forever and deeply thankful for their help back then and I will never forget this. Whenever they need me as a driver and I can help them with my experience I will not hesitate to do so.

Simon Gachet : First of all I am very happy to be part of the very closed list of official Audi Sport drivers for the 2023 season. I'm also very happy to be back with my team that started me in GT3, it's a great story to continue to write with Sebastien Chetail and Frederic Thalamy. I will be associated with Patric and Chris in Endurance on a Pro and Paul in Sprint to go for a title in Gold Cup. I can't wait to be in Monza and to start this season.

Erwan Bastard : It is with great pleasure that I’m back with Saintéloc Racing for another season after our incredible year in GT4. It was obvious to continue with Audi Sport and Saintéloc Racing to continue my progression in the GT pyramid with a double program in Fanatec GT World Challenge Sprint and Endurance. The Fanatec GT World Challenge is a very tough championship and I'm looking forward to competing against the other drivers.

Grégoire Demoustier : I am very happy to be back in GT3 for this 2023 season, and in particular within the Saintéloc Racing team, which is a reference in the category. Everything is in place for this year to be beautiful and I am really looking forward to it.

Paul Evrard : I am very happy to join Saintéloc Racing for my transition from GT4 to GT3. Driving the Audi R8 LMS GT3 and the will of Sébastien Chétail to promote young drivers have definitely convinced me to join the Saint-Etienne-based structure. I am certainly the driver with the least experience, but with Simon in Sprint or Erwan and Grégoire in Endurance, I am very motivated to learn quickly and perform in GTWC.

Saintéloc Junior Team continues its preparations for the 2023 campaign, before the two days of official testing which will take place as usual at Paul Ricard on March 7th and 8th.

2023 Saintéloc Junior Team Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe line-up

Endurance Cup

Audi #25 : Patric Niederhauser – Christopher Mies – Simon Gachet (Pro)

Audi #26 : Erwan Bastard – Grégoire Demoustier – Paul Evrard (Silver)

Sprint Cup

Audi #25 : Patric Niederhauser – Erwan Bastard (Pro)

Audi #26 : Simon Gachet – Paul Evrard (Gold Cup)

Audi #27 : Christopher Mies – Grégoire Demoustier (Pro)