Impressive in his first race in the Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II of the French team Saintéloc Racing, the 18-year-old Belgian finished on the podium in the Silver Cup.

“This first podium place in the GT World Challenge gives me a huge amount of satisfaction,” says Lorens with the huge smile that so often lights up his face. "After four Sprint races last year, this is the first time I have been able to take part in an Endurance Cup event. And I understood why this championship is recognised by everyone as the most challenging GT3 competition in the world! In total, there are 59 cars on the starting grid, including 17 in the Silver Cup. On the track, I rub shoulders with the best GT drivers in the world, true professionals hired by the factories. Running into the winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans or the 24 Hours of Spa at the briefing is quite surreal.”

The Silver Cup, in which Audi #26 is entered, is reserved for drivers classified as Silver by the international federation, i.e. young professionals or semi-professionals. Despite his young age and necessarily more limited experience than most of his opponents, the 18-year-old Belgian impressed with his speed on one lap, but perhaps even more with his consistency and his race management in such a high-level field.

The driver from Sart Bernard (near Namur), was chosen to drive the first stint, had in fact moved up from 6th to 3rd place in the Silver Cup during the first hour of the race. “Unfortunately, we lost about twenty seconds during the pit stop,” he explained. “There were so many cars in the pit lane that the mechanics had to lift and then push my car in order to refuel it. When I set off again for my second stint, I had dropped back to 6th position, and I had to start all over again!

It was mission accomplished, with more superb overtaking and a return to third place. His team-mates, Ukrainian Ivan Klymenko and the Swiss driver Lucas Légeret, then continued the good work, with Lucas snatching third place in the final minutes. “Even though there was not a single safety car to bring the pack back together, it was really close,” says Lorens. "After six hours of racing, the top six in the Silver Cup were grouped within just 46 seconds. If it had not been for the problem during the pit stop, we would have done even better... but I am not going to be too greedy: it is my first podium in the GT World Challenge Europe and it was the best way I could imagine to start my season. Thanks to the team for their support and great work, and thanks also to my team-mates. I had a great time this weekend!”

On 3 and 4 May 2025, Lorens will be at the Brands Hatch circuit in England for two 60-minute races to launch the GT World Challenge Sprint Cup. “Starting this Monday, I will be on the simulator at Saintéloc Racing to prepare for this event. I have never driven at Brands Hatch and it is one of the most difficult circuits of the season because there is no room for error. But I am really looking forward to being there and continuing with such great momentum.”