Three talented young Silver drivers are looking to shine for the GetSpeed team in this season’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe.
After tests at Circuit Paul Ricard and in Portimao, team principal Adam Osieka has now announced the driver line-up for the Mercedes-AMG GT3, which will line up in the class for aspiring professional drivers in the largest GT3 championship in the world. The flying youngsters are Seb Baud from France, Denmark’s Valdemar Eriksen, and Canadian Jeff Kingsley.
“With this trio, we have a promising line-up. We will use our expertise to help them develop with us, and will do everything we can to ensure that they are successful,” said Osieka.
19-year-old Eriksen has tasted victory in the Spanish and Danish Formula 4 championships and last year finished second at Barcelona in the GTWC Silver Cup.
“GetSpeed contacted me after my successful rookie season in a GT car and the GTWC in 2021. I was immediately impressed by their ambitious plans to develop and support the next generation of Mercedes-AMG works drivers. This fits in perfectly with my own ambitions to become a full-time professional in the long term,” said the Dane.
“I tested with GetSpeed last week in Portimao. I really enjoyed working with the team. The cooperation ran smoothly. They helped me to familiarise myself with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 platform and its possibilities. The car is totally different to what I am used to. With the help of the team, I want to improve over the course of the year. And I will obviously always strive to achieve the best result possible. I am looking forward to my new team-mates and the Mercedes-AMG family. Above all, however, I am looking forward to finally getting down to business.”
Kingsley is a former champion in the Porsche Cup Challenge, and the 23-year-old lined up in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship last year.
“I am thrilled to start for GetSpeed in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Championship. The test at the start of February at Autódromo Internacional Algarve was my first time in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, which I know is a fast race car. The team welcomed me with open arms in Portugal. My goal is to challenge for podiums, race wins and ultimately the title with GetSpeed. As a Canadian making the trip across the pond, I am also looking forward to getting to know the legendary Formula 1 circuits in Europe. Here’s to an awesome season,” said Kingsley.
Baud is 21 years old and won the French Mijet championship 2019 and the JS2 R class of the Ligier European Series in 2020. More recently, he has been racing in the Silver Cup in the GT4 European Series. “I am very proud to line up for GetSpeed in the GT World Challenge. Even during my tests in Le Castellet, I felt really comfortable in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 and this professional team. The car is extraordinary. I always dreamed of driving it, and now I have the opportunity to do so. That is fantastic. We have sat down together and set ourselves goals for 2022, and I can hardly wait for the season-opener.”
