At just 18 years of age, this promising young Belgian motor sport talent has joined the prestigious French team Saintéloc Racing. Competing in the Silver Cup, the young driver from Assesse will take part in the ten rounds of the GT World Challenge Europe at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II.
Lorens Lecertua is a young man in a hurry. Having moved from karting to single-seaters at the age of just 15, as part of the French Formula 4 Championship, the young Belgian then branched off into GT racing in 2023, winning his first international title in the Alpine Europa Cup in his very first season. Named “Rookie of the Year” by the RACB, his national federation, Lorens then started 2024 in GT4, before moving to GT3 after a few races. His four appearances in the prestigious GT World Challenge Europe, one of the most competitive championships in the world, have allowed him to demonstrate that he deserves his place at this level.
After such an eventful start, the citizen of Assesse, a village about twenty kilometres south of Namur, was looking to establish a longer-term relationship for the rest of his career. “My entourage and I were very surprised by the number of teams that contacted us and wanted to integrate me into one of their crews,” Lorens admits. “We had some very good offers and the choice was not easy. We finally decided to join the French team Saintéloc Racing.”
One of the leading names in GT racing for the past fifteen years or so, the Saint-Etienne-based organisation's track record includes a victory in the 2017 Spa 24 Hours, as well as several class titles in the GT World Challenge Europe. In 2024, it won the Gold Cup in the Endurance Championship and in the Overall competition, which combines Sprint and Endurance.
“Sébastien Chetail, the boss of Saintéloc, has offered me the chance to compete in both the Endurance Cup and the Sprint Cup of the GT World Challenge Europe in 2025,” explains Lorens. "In total, that means ten rounds. He has also insisted on us preparing for the season by scheduling several test sessions. For a young guy like me who needs to build up experience, it is ideal! During my visit to Saint-Etienne, I was very impressed by the team's facilities and its professionalism. Their simulator is also a great tool! And even if it is not the latest model, the Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II is a very high-performance car which stands out for its reliability. So everything is in place for a good season, culminating in my first participation in the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa at the end of June!”
Lorens will compete in the Silver Cup, the semi-professional drivers' class, with his Ukrainian team-mate Ivan Klymenko. A third driver, to be announced later, will complete the Endurance Cup crew.
“I am delighted to see Lorens join our team,” smiles Sébastien Chetail, the boss of Saintéloc Racing. “During our 20 years of existence, we have often worked with young people. We have helped them grow and develop. With Lorens, the aim is to build his future together. The initial plan is not to limit our collaboration to a single season, but to prepare him for a bright future. He is only 18 years old and still has a lot to learn, but we will provide the necessary support to help him progress as quickly as possible. I cannot wait to see him do his first laps at the wheel of our Audi!"
Including ten events between 13 April and 12 October 2025, the GT World Challenge Europe will pass through Belgium on the occasion of the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, from 25 to 29 June 2025.
