Motorsport 98 has confirmed its first entry for the Fanatec GT2 European Series Powered by Pirelli, with team owner and driver Erik De Doncker set to pilot a new Mercedes-AMG GT2 in the Am class.
A former GT4 European Cup and Group C Class 1 champion, De Doncker brings over 30-years of experience to the series and most recently contested the Nascar Euro Series and Le Mans Cup.
After a two-year break, De Doncker is delighted to be heading for his first term in Fanatec GT2 at the wheel of the #98 Mercedes-AMG GT2: “The first idea was to take part in the European Le Mans Series with the Ligier we still owned, but we weren't selected,” comments De Doncker. “And as there was no guarantee that we'd finally be able to line up this prototype at a level that interested us, I logically turned to the GT2, a concept tailor-made for gentlemen drivers! One call to Stéphane Ratel later, the decision was made, and as a Mercedes-AMG GT2 was available, we went for it!
“The cars in the GT2 category are nice, powerful, and if I drive alone, I can clearly aim for the crown in the Am category. I'll make my decision after testing at the Circuit Paul Ricard and the Barcelona-Catalunya track. Will there be a teammate or not? We'll see at that point, depending on how I can adapt to the Mercedes-AMG GT2, a car that develops a whopping 700 horsepower for 1400 kilos! Admittedly, there's less downforce than on the GT3s, but it goes very fast all the same. What's more, the 2024 line-up for the GT2 European Series is more than promising, with between 20 and 25 cars expected, and no fewer than six meetings, including Spa.”
The Belgian team will begin its Fanatec GT2 Powered by Pirelli campaign in the opening round of the series at Circuit Paul Ricard, 5-6 April. Part of the crew’s maiden season will include supporting the centennial of the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa in July, the mid-way point in the six-round Fanatec GT2 calendar which supports Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS this year.
“In the end, I'll have raced in GT4, GT1, GT3 and GT2,” smiles De Doncker. “In addition to my GT2 European Series programme, I intend to take part in the Spa 12 Hours and the Barcelona 24 Hours, part of the 24H Series. These are prospects which have attracted my partners Mercedes Mannès and AMB Storage, the people who have supported me in the past, and of course my wife Cath.”
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