DF1 Racing signs Patrick Lemarie and Simon Pilate for the 2021 NWES season
DF1 Racing from Austria has signed Patrick Lemarie and Simon Pilate for the 2021 EuroNASCAR season – Both are leaving Feed Vict Racing
The Austrian team DF1 Racing has set its course for the 2021 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES) by signing two former Feed Vict Racing drivers: Patrick Lemarie for the PRO championship and Simon Pilate for the EuroNASCAR 2 series. The duo will share the #66 Chevrolet Camaro.
Lemarie and Pilate have a close relationship, with the experienced Frenchman acting as mentor to the Belgian youngster. Pilate had successfully completed the Feed Academy and was awarded the cockpit in the NWES. In 2020, he made his debut in the EuroNASCAR 2 championship, where the 18-year-old finished eighth overall and fourth in the Rookie Trophy.
Driver’s statements
“2020 was an amazing year for me, as it was my first ever year in car racing. With the help of FeedVict, Patrick Lemarie and Jacques Villeneuve I was able to learn an incredible amount of information quickly. Thanks to their help, I rapidly got used to the car and performed,” Pilate said. “Finishing the season with two rookie podiums, I was ready to continue for the next season. It is with great pleasure that I found this opportunity with DF1 Racing.”
His mentor Lemarie added: “It is with great enthusiasm and a very high motivation that I am very pleased to announce my engagement with DF1 for this season. After 17 years without racing, my friend Jacques Villeneuve got me out of my retirement last year, and I had great pleasure driving in the NWES Championship.”
“I would like to thank team FeedVict for the past season, my racing appetite is back again, and I am focused on performing well this year and helping my young protégé Simon Pilate, who is very talented, to win the EuroNASCAR 2 title. Norbert (Walchhofer, DF1 Racing Head of Motorsport) and I met when we both were still racing.”
Future of Soerensen and Feed Vict Racing uncertain
What Lemarie’s signing means for Feed Vict Racing is not yet known. After all, the Frenchman was part owner of the team along with Jacques Villeneuve, Dario Caso and Onofrio Veneziani.
As Lemarie and Pilate will drive the #66 car, a return of title contender and former EuroNASCAR 2 champion Lasse Soerensen is also doubtful. He has already revealed that he is working on a program for the 2021 season. It’s not clear which team the Dane will join.
