Gaëtan Paletou: the interview of a 2.0 driver
For some time now, Sim Racing has been experiencing a real boom. This expansion is due to the increase in both the scale and number of competitions. However, video gaming is starting to establish itself as a potential gateway to motorsports.

Gaëtan Paletou is probably the perfect example that Sim Racing can effectively serve as a springboard to a career in motorsport. A graduate of the GT Academy (a competition organized by Nissan, PlayStation, and Polyphony Digital that offered winners the chance to transition from video games to reality), in 2014, the native of Barzun was able to translate his virtual talent into reality and thus had the opportunity to drive in Endurance racing for Nissan.
Motorsinside offers you this interview that will surely inspire some of you.
How did you discover Gran Turismo?
I discovered GT like all kids who love cars, I suppose! When you’re 10 – 12 years old and you love cars, you mostly want to drive them! It was more of a game for enthusiasts, but I quickly became very competitive since GT3 (Gran Turismo 3 editor’s note), I absolutely wanted to win the races I did with my friends.
Before winning the GT Academy, was a career in motorsport conceivable?
To be honest, I didn’t even think about it. I wasn’t very familiar with motorsports, I didn’t really follow it except for F1.
For me, even before the budget issue, it was mainly that I didn’t think I had what it takes to become a pilot.
What is your best moment in motorsport?
I’m torn between two. The time when Darren Cox told me I was going to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans was just magical. I couldn’t believe it. It was completely unexpected, between two trucks during a Blancpain Endurance Series race. There’s even a video where you can see me crying when he tells me that! It was the first time the GT Academy program had a winner racing at Le Mans in their first year of competition.
The second moment is my victory at the Grand Prix de Pau in 2017. I was born and live in Pau. It was my first race in the city, and winning right from the start was incredible, especially with all my family and friends around me. The laps were long, I had a problem with my car, and I had no rear brake! Fortunately, I was able to keep the lead until the checkered flag.
Your worst memory?
I’ve had a few! I retired twice at Paul Ricard in front of my home crowd while leading due to mechanical failures, that was hard to swallow. But the worst was the 24 Hours of Le Mans; we were in 2nd place when the car stopped due to a battery issue, except I hadn’t yet taken the wheel for a single lap during the race…
In fact, during my 2015 season with Nissan, I retired 7 times out of 14 races due to mechanical problems that had nothing to do with the driving…
Are you planning to return to competitive sim racing?
« For Sim Racing, indeed I still play from time to time. More for pleasure than for pure competition (even if we always like to win). That said, a project is in the works but I can’t confirm anything yet! »
To conclude, what is the difference between the real and the virtual?
«The only difference is the G-forces! »