Max van Splunteren to Make Bentley Debut in Moscow

Dutchman Max van Splunteren will join Bentley Team HTP for the fourth round of the Blancpain Sprint Series at Moscow Raceway next week.

The 19-year-old driver will share the wheel of the No. 83 Bentley Continental GT3 with fellow Dutchman Jules Szymkowiak. Van Splunteren will take over from Tom Dillmann, who raced with Szymkowiak at Zolder.

Van Splunteren tested the car in Bentley Team HTP’s pre-season test at Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, Portugal already, while also being part of the lineup that tested at Spa-Francorchamps on Tuesday.

The Dutchman started racing in Formula Ford, before moving to the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux. In 2014 Van Splunteren also competed in the European Le Mans Series, replacing his father Paul van Splunteren in the Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 R.

“I’m very pleased that we can finally give Max van Splunteren the chance to race the Bentley Continental GT3,” Bentley Team HTP team principal Norbert Brückner said.

“He has been part of our team since we started testing with the Bentley Continental GT3 and has already gained experience at numerous tests. He is now well prepared for his first race and we are convinced that he and Jules will be a very strong combination.”

Szymkowiak and Van Splunteren will race in the Silver Cup in Moscow.

Even though Bentley Team HTP has not confirmed its lineup for Spa yet, Van Splunteren is likely to join the team for the 24 Hours as well. Szymkowiak told Sportscar365 he will not race at Spa.