Nicolas Baert: Already some important points! 05.04.2022: At Imola, Nicolas Baert, Aurélien Panis and César Gazeau started the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe season with a fourth place in the Silver Cup. A strategic gamble which did not pay off cost the Saintéloc Racing trio a place on the podium, but there are

At Imola, Nicolas Baert, Aurélien Panis and César Gazeau started the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe season with a fourth place in the Silver Cup. A strategic gamble which did not pay off cost the Saintéloc Racing trio a place on the podium, but there are many reasons for the young Belgian to feel satisfied.
 


Although he had already contested two races in the Intercontinental GT Challenge with the Audi R8 LMS GT3 of Saintéloc Racing, Nicolas Baert had the impression that he was entering a new world this weekend at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.



 “With 52 cars on a track less than five kilometres long, I know that it will be a great challenge,” the young Belgian said with pleasure before the start. “I have never driven on this track before and I am also getting to know the new Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, which is quite different in terms of aerodynamics. But, honestly, I already love this championship! The best GT drivers are here, the level is incredibly high and I am really looking forward to it.”
 


The collaboration with his French team-mates Aurélien Panis and César Gazeau was also excellent. “With the exception of the Intercontinental GT Challenge races and a few appearances in the VW Fun Cup, this is the first time I have had to share a car,” said the two-time TCR Europe Junior Champion. “But I find it very interesting. It allows you to progress in a different way and sometimes you have to make some compromises. In addition, we have a great deal of fun.”
 


The driver from Waterloo immediately found his place in this highly competitive GT World Challenge Europe field. Taking the average time of the three drivers, as stipulated in the regulations, the trio in the Audi #26 was 17th on the grid, third among the competitors in the Silver Cup.
 


Tasked with driving from the start, Nico managed to hold his position. “I have to admit it was impressive,” he said. “With the exception of a Fun Cup race, it was my first flying start since my karting days. And I had Valentino Rossi's Audi #46 right in front of me, even though he was not actually driving it. With so many cars, it is a challenge when you are heading for the first chicane. I also had to avoid another Audi which got into trouble towards the end of my stint... Several of us came very close.”
 


While a podium finish, at least, was quite possible, a neutralisation of the race with 65 minutes to go was to cost Nicolas Baert and his team-mates dearly. “We took a strategic gamble by staying on the track to have warmer tyres for the restart,” explains the Belgian. “It was not the correct choice. Instead of aiming for a top 15 finish and a place on the podium in the Silver Cup, we fell back to 21st overall and 4th in our class.”

 


-Baert, photos  D.DELIEN