Chatin Replaces Ogier in Richard Mille LMP2 Lineup

Richard Mille Racing Team has signed Paul-Loup Chatin to replace Sebastien Ogier in its LMP2 driving squad for the rest of the FIA World Endurance Championship season.

Eight-time FIA World Rally champion Ogier announced on Tuesday that he will not be completing the WEC campaign after getting as far as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Chatin, who drives for IDEC Sport in the European Le Mans Series, will join Charles Milesi and Lilou Wadoux for the six-hour races at Monza and Fuji, and the 8 Hours of Bahrain.

The Frenchman’s last WEC appearance outside Le Mans was a cameo for Racing Team Nederland at Monza last year, when he came in as a late subtitute for the COVID 19-affected Giedo van der Garde and ended up winning the LMP2 Pro-Am category.

“We are delighted to welcome Paul-Loup Chatin,” said Philippe Sinault, director of Signatech which runs the Richard Mille Racing Team LMP2 program.

“We have an excellent relationship with Sébastien Ogier, with whom we have nothing but fond memories.

“He was kind enough to tell us ahead of time, and we respect his decision. We were able to anticipate our quest for his perfect substitute.

“Although he is about to wear the Richard Mille colors for the first time, we know Paul-Loup very well.

“His talent and adaptability enabled us to successfully defend our European Le Mans Series title in 2014 and provide a solid foundation for our first FIA World Endurance Championship campaign.

“Paul-Loup has always been fast in the LMP2 category, and we have no doubts about his integration. With Charles and Lilou, this new team looks very promising for the second half of the season!”

Amanda Mille, brand and partnerships director at Richard Mille, added: “We knew Sebastien Ogier would not be able to run the full season with us due to his busy schedule and we will obviously miss him.

“For this new lineup, we are delighted to welcome Paul-Loup Chatin to the team. He will be an asset to form once again a fascinating and competitive driver lineup.”

Chatin is a two-time ELMS LMP2 champion, earning titles with Signatech in 2014 and with IDEC Sport in 2019.

He also won the LMP2 class in last year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona driving for Era Motorsport and claimed the LMP2 pole at Le Mans in 2018.

“I’m ecstatic to be joining the Richard Mille Racing Team,” said the 30-year-old.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m extremely flattered that they thought of me.

“My target is quite simple. First and foremost, I want to serve the team and my teammates to reach the highest possible level. I also hope to help them with my LMP2 experience on three circuits that I know well.

“It would be awesome to be on the podium by the end of the season with Charles and Lilou, and we will give it our all to achieve this.

“It’s also a real pleasure to begin a new chapter with the Signatech team, with whom I’ve already had a great time for three years.”