Comtoyou Racing has announced ambitious plans for a three-car Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS assault in 2023, which will see the Belgian squad continue its long association with Audi Sport.
Led by team principal Jean-Michel Baert and team manager François Verbist, the Comtoyou outfit is well known for its record in touring car competition, which includes success at the global and European level. Indeed, just last weekend the team ran Dutch driver Tom Coronel to gold at the FIA Motorsport Games.
While it plans to continue in this arena, Comtoyou will also enter the GT3 ranks next term. Having already forged close ties with Audi Sport, it will begin its new chapter using the Ingolstadt marque's proven R8 LMS GT3 Evo II model.
It is set to field three cars in the Fanatec GT Sprint Cup and two in the Endurance Cup, including a blue riband home event at the 2023 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa (29 June–2 July). No drivers have yet been confirmed for the programme, with a minimum of six recruits required to fill the seats.
“We have been wanting to switch to GT3 for a few years now and Audi has been calling for us to do so,” explained François Verbist. “After three years of reflection, we thought it was the right time.
"Everyone knows how competitive [Fanatec GT] is and so the challenge is huge, but we come with a great deal of humility. We know that the car can win and that, like other customers, we can count on the technical support and advice of Audi Sport customer racing.
"The aim will be to be closer to the best and then aim for the titles in 2024,” concluded Verbist.
By linking up with Audi Sport, Comtoyou Racing has partnered with the most successful brand in Fanatec GT history. The German manufacturer has accumulated 48 overall Sprint Cup wins and 10 in the Endurance Cup, holding the record for both disciplines.
The 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS season will begin with the traditional test days at Circuit Paul Ricard on 7-8 March. The Endurance season launches at Monza on 21-23 April, while the Sprint campaign gets under way at Brands Hatch on 13-14 May.