Jacky Ickx congratulates Laurens Vanthoor: “Blessed bread for Belgian motorsport”

Laurens Vanthoor not only succeeded the Sébastien Buemi-Brendon Hartley-Ryo Hirakawa trio by taking the FIA ​​WEC world champion crown. He also succeeded Jacky Ickx who had won the championship in the ancestor of the championship, the WSC, in 1982 and 1983. Thanks to the efforts of the Limburger, Belgium thus returned to the summit of endurance after a hiatus of 40 years, 10 months and 23 days.

Portrait: Laurens Vanthoor, the Belgian blade at the top of endurance

Like a passing of the baton, Jacky Ickx was vocally delighted to see another Belgian rise to the pantheon of long-term races. “Bravo Laurens !”launched the greatest Belgian driver of all time at the microphone of DH-Motors. “Even though there are only eight races in the WEC, he and Porsche fought against an army of manufacturers, all present to showcase their technological know-how. This title was therefore acquired through a tough fight in highly difficult circumstances given the quality of the field. It is easy to say that to conquer without danger, we triumph without glory. Except that this saying is relevant since the danger was very great in the WEC this year. With his teammates André Lotterer and Kévin Estre, he was able to put together a winning combination of three super drivers. They knew how to manage the distance throughout the season and seeing them crowned world champions is a happy ending. I think everyone is excited to see them triumph.”