Marc van der Straten (Boutsen VDS): "I missed the car"

Bored with four wheels at one time, Marc van der Straten moved on to motorbikes with solid programmes in Moto2. But that doesn't mean that the charismatic Belgian has put aside any experience in cars. The feline was still present via Aurélien Panis and Alberto di Folco. This time it is as a team that the VDS name returns in GT3, but with Boutsen Racing, the Belgian team of the Lainé family. Without this association, which is as friendly as it is sporting, Marc VDS would certainly not have returned to a GT3 category which enabled it to win the 24 Hours of Spa.   Combining Boutsen and VDS gives Boutsen VDS a complete programme in GT World Challenge Europe with two Audi R8 LMS GT3. They include Aurélien Panis, Alberto di Folco, Roee Meyuhas, Cesar Gazeau, Andrea Cola and Adam Eteki. In the middle of the test session at Paul Ricard, Marc van der Straten gave an interview to Endurance-Info.  Marc, why did you come back?   Since we left GT, we have had very good seasons in Moto2, which supports MotoGP. We are the only private team to have won four world championships by three points. Despite all these good results, I missed the car but there was no question of me starting a team on my own. I honestly think that it was a source of a lot of problems.  Then there was this meeting with the Lainé family...   Things in life are sometimes curious. I have known Olivier and his family for years. When I started sailing, I bought a boat that belonged to Thierry Boutsen. Olivier and I both had an itch to call each other and say: 'Why not do something together? The team is respected and we discussed it in depth. We had to combine different elements and this programme was born. I'm 75 years old and you have to make the most of the present time.  Do you have fond memories of your time in GT3?   I have always enjoyed the atmosphere of motor racing. You can't forget everything that was done, especially at the 24 Hours of Spa. Many people followed our adventure closely and we intend to do the same with Boutsen VDS by developing this alliance. We'll see the feline again.  Do you like to return to an SRO championship?   Here, you feel the authenticity and even if the championship has changed its name, you quickly find your marks. I have experienced so many great things with Stéphane Ratel. Despite the setbacks, Stéphane has always been able to bounce back. He is a great man in motorsport.  We have seen the feline in the GT3 championships during all these years...   Personally, I have always been linked to Lamborghini and I gave a helping hand to Alberto (di Folco) thanks to my privileged relationship with Lamborghini Geneva. I also support Aurélien (Panis). It's all about meetings. I follow closely drivers like Christophe Bernard de Mainvault and Nigel Bailly. One can only admire what they manage to do despite their handicap.