Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS stalwart Saintéloc Racing has confirmed its line-ups for the 2021 campaign, which will see the French squad continue its long association with Audi.
The Saint Etienne-based squad will contest the full season with a pair of R8 LMS GT3 entries, combining established drivers with new additions to its crew.
Audi Sport ace Christopher Haase will remain the spearhead, running the complete 10-round championship in the #25 machine. He will be partnered at Sprint Cup events by Leo Roussel, while Adrien Tambay and Alexandre Cougnaud will join the German at Endurance rounds. Tambay has previous experience with Saintéloc having driven for the team in Championnat de France FFSA GT.
The #26 Audi will be anchored by Frédéric Vervisch. The Belgian returns to Saintéloc, with whom he finished fourth at the Total 24 Hours of Spa in 2018 and 2019, after a strong season with Attempto Racing. He will be partnered at Sprint Cup events by Aurélien Panis, who moves across from the Tech1 Lexus programme.
In the Endurance Cup, Saintéloc will once again call upon experienced Audi expert Markus Winkelhock. He will be joined by young British driver Finlay Hutchinson, who like Vervisch moves across from the Attempto squad.
These line-ups may be shuffled at the Total 24 Hours of Spa. Saintéloc clinched its maiden victory at the Belgian endurance classic in 2017 with Haase, Winkelhock and Jules Gounon at the wheel and has remained a regular front-runner in the following editions.
Preparations for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS season will step up a gear this week when the series undertakes its official test days (25/26 March). Running is scheduled for Thursday and Friday at Circuit Paul Ricard, while the competitive action begins with an Endurance Cup event at Monza on 16-18 April. The Sprint Cup will launch at Magny-Cours, forming part of a packed schedule alongside Championnat de France FFSA GT on 7-9 May.