Boutsen VDS Switches from Audi to Mercedes-AMG

Boutsen VDS will make the switch from Audi to a two-car Mercedes-AMG effort in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS next year.

The Belgian squad will field a pair of Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evos in both Endurance and Sprint Cup competition, with its headline entry in the Pro class to be driven by as yet unnamed Mercedes-AMG factory and Junior drivers.

The class designation for the second car remains to be determined, with the choice either falling on Gold Cup or Silver Cup, depending on the categorization of the chosen drivers.

It will mark the end of a two-year alignment with Audi for the Belgian operation, which began during the 2022 GTWC Europe season when the team was still operating under the Boutsen Racing banner.

The team remained with the Ingolstadt brand even as it launched a new partnership with the Marc VDS organization and won the overall and Sprint Cup teams ‘ championship in Gold Cup.

“First of all, I would like to thank Audi Sport for those two years of collaboration,” said Olivier Laine, who runs the Boutsen operation together with Olivia Boutsen.

“However, for the future of the team, the opportunity that presented itself with Mercedes-AMG was one not to be missed.

“We will be entering two cars for the entire championship, including one in Pro with Mercedes-AMG Performance and Junior drivers. It is a great challenge for us, but it is also very exciting and motivating.

“I would like to thank Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, and the entire Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing team for their confidence.

“We are already hard at work and we will be doing our utmost to make this collaboration a success.”