Fanatec GT2 European Series Am champion in 2022, Henry Hassid returns for a second season with LP Racing this year, this time for an attempt on the Pro-Am title with Anthony Beltoise.
The Frenchman was a force to be reckoned with last year, clinching the Am title with seven wins and four further podium finishes in the #67 LP Racing Audi. With that accolade secured, Hassid returns to the GT2 grid to compete in a new class come the first round of 2023 at Monza, Italy, next weekend.
Joining the reining Am champion on his graduation to the Pro-Am ranks will be Anthony Beltoise. The French duo already has a strong history of success having won the French GT championship together back in 2012. Beltoise can also lay claim to multiple Porsche Carrera Cup France and French GT titles, and he takes on the challenge of GT2 fresh from a year in the GT4 European Series with Saintéloc Racing.
“Last year we of course won the GT2 Am title, so this year I wanted a new target,” said Hassid. “Anthony Beltoise, one of my oldest friends with whom I won the 2012 French GT Championship, has accepted to join me in the Pro-Am class. He’s an incredibly quick driver and I hope we will get some strong results. I love working with LP Racing, it’s like being with family and we have good fun, so it’s great to be back.”
Beltoise comments: “As Henry says, we are old friends. We won the French GT Championship 10 years ago and earned a podium in the Blancpain Endurance Series together the same year. I know Audi well, from racing GT3 and GT4, now it’s time for GT2 and a new challenge. I saw GT2 last year and the series and the car looked fantastic. I’m really looking forward to getting started at Monza and to racing with Henry again. He’s a very quick and safe driver and I look forward to helping him work towards the new target of the Pro-Am title.”
Team Principal, Luca Pirri added: “We are happy to have Henry back at the wheel of car 67 in the Pro-Am class. He will have the support of Anthony Beltoise who we are very pleased to have join LP Racing. I have high hopes for their season and look forward in seeing them in Monza next weekend.”
Hassid and Beltoise complete the trio of LP Racing Audis fighting for the Fanatec GT2 European Series Pro-Am title this term, which also includes Stéphane Ratel and Mattia di Giusto in the #88 car, plus Michael Doppelmayr and Pierre Kaffer in the #18 Audi.
The LP Racing squad get their season underway in the first round of the season at Monza, Italy 21-23 April.