By taking the start of the Centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Spa this year, Ugo de Wilde will continue a family story. Son of our colleague Olivier, Ugo will follow in the footsteps of his father, entered the track on several occasions at the end of the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s, but also of his grandfather Thierry, in action in the 70s notably with an Audi 80 GT. A true tradition.
“It’s a source of pride, Ugo de Wilde tells us. My grandfather did hillclimbs and the 24 Hours here in Spa, already with an Audi. Since I was little, I have been immersed in this environment. Family celebrations are often the occasion for discussions around Spa and Le Mans. I had the chance to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 (with DKR Engineering) for the Centenary. Being the third generation is a great story. It’s up to me to do well. Being at home gives me extra energy. It’s not really pressure. »
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Gold digger
If Saintéloc Racing is no longer involved in the Pro category, as had been the case in recent years with the support of Audi Sport, the Saint-Etienne team, the last to have allowed the firm with the rings to win in 2017, has serious arguments to aim for the leading roles in the Gold Cup.
With his compatriot Gilles Magnus and the Frenchmen Paul Evrard and Jim Pla, Ugo de Wilde will be able to count on a crew that has already shone this year, with a success in the Endurance Cup at the season opener at Paul Ricard. Not to mention the good performances of Evrard and Magnus in the Sprint Cup in the class.
“I was able to drive with the team in the Silver Cup at Le Castellet on the other car, and my goal was clearly to be at the start of the 24 Hours, admits Ugo de Wilde. I thought I could be there in a Lamborghini, but there were only Silver seats, but it didn’t work with my FIA (Gold) categorisation. Gilles made the connection with the team for Le Castellet, and we were able to finalise the seat for Spa.
The #25 won at Paul Ricard and is leading the championship. We have all the tools to do well. We also have to stay out of technical issues and penalties. The weather might not be easy. By remaining consistent, the goal of winning the Gold is achievable, and why not play a good shot in the general classification.
The transition from the Lamborghini Huracan to the Audi R8 remains rather easy, the two cars remaining quite close philosophically. “The balance is very similar, explains the Belgian. The Audi’s operating window is perhaps a little wider. The steering is lighter in the Audi, however, and it can be a little tricky to get good feedback in fast corners. But once you get the hang of it, you’re really close to the Lamborghini.”
The resident of the Lamborghini Young Drivers program intends to take advantage of this opportunity to get noticed, and continue his progression within the Italian fold. And why not climb a rank in the internal hierarchy by becoming an official driver in 2025.
“I have the end of the Sprint championship with Imperiale, and the level is so high that you have to be in the car all the time. If I hadn’t done Spa, I would have had a long period out of the race before Hockenheim. I will try to see if other opportunities present themselves.
My goals have always been Le Mans and Hypercar. I think it’s good to prove yourself in GT and then be able to join a brand and then hope to move into Hypercar. The idea is to continue with Lamborghini and to be among the finalists in the GT3 shoot-out at the end of the season to have support in 2025.”
