Matheo Tuscher aims for the WEC in 2016
Matheo Tuscher alternated at the end of the season between GP3 and WEC. For 2016, he hopes to compete in the entire endurance championship.
If he participates in his second season in GP3 with the Swiss team Jenzer, the young driver has competed in the last two WEC races in Shanghai and Bahrain with the LMP1 Rebellion team. He has been in contact with them for some time already, but a collaboration could not be established earlier: « I have been in contact with Rebellion since last year. But I couldn’t drive with them because, in WEC, you have to be 18 years old to be able to drive. »
Now that this thing is done, he was able to make his big debut. The Bahrain weekend was particularly busy for the young Swiss driver as he competed in races in both disciplines consecutively. Although he was unlucky in GP3 since he was hit by two drivers coming from behind, his WEC race went very well: « *We were already able to secure our first victory with the team. This ensured our second place in the championship, just behind our teammates. It is, therefore, a great satisfaction.* »
With such beginnings, he plans to continue in the discipline full-time next season: « With Rebellion, we are having very good discussions. It is not 100% certain yet but it’s very close to being so. »
However, he does not wish to permanently turn his back on single-seaters and wants to keep the option open to pursue a program in one of the promotional formulas: *I would like to have a foot in WEC. After that, between GP2 and GP3, the choice has not yet been made.*
As is often the case in motorsports, the choice will be heavily influenced by the budget he can gather: « I’m only 18, so I don’t want to close any doors just yet. For two years, I’ve been very well supported by Jenzer. But now, if I want to continue, I need to find more budget. That’s why I want to secure my future in the WEC first before considering other options. »
To increase his visibility with potential sponsors, Mathéo Tuscher is a consultant for F1 races with Swiss television RTS: « Of course, being on RTS helps me a lot when I contact companies and when people recognize my voice because of it. It’s a big plus for me. I am really grateful to RTS for giving me this opportunity. It’s a great pleasure, and we plan to continue collaborating next season. »
The schedule for the 2016 season is shaping up to be quite busy, which is the best one can hope for.
From our special correspondent in Abu Dhabi
