Young Driver: Julien wins top prize
SEASON 2019 IN THE CUPRA TCR The winner of the 2018 Young Driver Challenge is Julien Apothéloz. The high school student, who is only 17 years old, will be driving a Cupra from Topcar Sport in the German TCR series next year. Arguments to crown each of the three finalists in this year's "AutoScout24 Young Driver Challenge 2018 powered by Seat" the overall winner were [...]
There were enough arguments to crown each of the three finalists in this year's "AutoScout24 Young Driver Challenge 2018 powered by Seat" the overall winner. But there could only be one winner - and his name is Julien Apothéloz from Gockhausen ZH.
He was chosen by a jury that includes AutoScout24 ambassador and DTM professional Nico Müller.
Nico Müller: "All three are super guys and offered very good performances. We had to take a lot of time to make a decision. Everyone would have deserved the top prize."
From a standing start in the midfield
Leonardo Tinland showed his talent simply by qualifying for the final round without any motorsport experience. The Vaudois had never sat in a kart until he registered. During his stint at the Nürburgring, the professional ski coach left some experienced drivers behind him.
Francesco Ruga immediately held his own in the midfield at the Sachsenring. His flair for racing cars had previously been evident in the kart and during the sighting in the Cupra TCR. YDC organizer, coach and racing pro Fredy Barth freely admits: "I wouldn't have been able to do this at the beginning of my career."
And Julien Apothéloz amazed with his considered approach, vehicle control (e.g. in the rainy free practice at Hockenheim) and ultimately with the result. No young driver from 2017 and 2018 before him had managed to make it into the top ten in a race for the ADAC TCR Germany.
First racing license, then learner's permit
Apart from briefly on private property, the 17-year-old had never driven a car before this talent scouting. He will have plenty of opportunity to do so next year.
In March, Apothéloz will turn 18 and then immediately take a few driving lessons to get his license. The Zurich high school student had already received his International Racing License for his premiere in Hockenheim.
One third of the budget as the main prize
As the winner of the 2018 Young Driver Challenge, Julien Apothéloz will receive a dowry of 50,000 Swiss francs, donated by AutoScout24 and Seat Switzerland. The complete racing season in the ADAC TCR Germany is estimated to cost at least 150,000 francs.
A Cupra TCR is mandatory as the race car. Apothéloz will probably opt for Topcar Sport after getting to know the team from Uetendorf and its perfect working methods during his stint at Hockenheim.
The youngster will have to find and secure the rest of the budget himself in the coming weeks. He also had to convince the jury of this. His family, which is infected with the racing virus - dad Christophe once raced in Swiss hill climbs - will help him.
Julien Apothéloz: "Just starting at Hockenheim was a dream come true for me. And now this... I will give everything to make the most of this opportunity in 2019."
Foretaste of the next talent scouting
Undoubtedly, the outcome of this year's Young Driver Challenge will motivate many Apothéloz karting colleagues who meet the age criterion (17 to 21 years) to participate in the third edition in 2019. Kart drivers have the best chance to qualify due to their racing experience.
Details on the call will be announced in spring 2019.
