Bentley Signs Gounon for Blancpain GT, IGTC

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Bentley Motorsport has signed Jules Gounon as a factory driver to compete in the Blancpain GT Series and Intercontinental GT Challenge with Bentley Team M-Sport, the manufacturer announced on Friday.

The 22-year-old Frenchman won the Total 24 Hours of Spa in July with Audi Sport Team Sainteloc in a season that saw him drive several different GT3 cars in various series.

Gounon will join returning Bentley drivers Guy Smith, Steven Kane, Andy Soucek, Maxime Soulet and Vince Abril in the M-Sport-run team’s two new Bentley Continental GT3s.

The six drivers will contest the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and Intercontinental GT Challenge.

“Consistency is key for endurance racing so to have five of our drivers back to continue their long-standing relationships with us allows us to get stronger year-on-year and is testament to the loyalty within our team,” commented Bentley director of motorsport Brian Gush.

“Jules has shown that he has the pace and maturity to fit in to a leading team, despite only being 22 years old, and we’re looking forward to supporting him as he develops his career.

“We’re all looking forward to arriving in Bathurst in February and getting 2018 underway.”

Gounon replaces Oliver Jarvis in the lineup, who has recently been confirmed as a full-season Mazda Team Joest driver in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.