Winning his first European Endurance Prototype Cup race at Magny-Cours, Maxence Maurice enjoyed a thrilling experience with his son Louis Maurice and Christophe Carrière. This success, achieved at the end of an improbable scenario, has become the greatest of the CD Sport driver's career.

 

In the big book of the 2024 Ultimate Cup European Series season, the 4h European Endurance Prototype Cup at Magny-Cours will have its own chapter. The Maurice family could even write a whole book to tell the story of a day forever engraved in their memories. Dantesque conditions, an ending as magnificent as it was dramatic, and happiness shared between father and son, Maxence Maurice has never felt so much joy on a circuit.

A week after this victory, from Bilbao where he was taking part in a half-marathon, the CD Sport resident said he was still over the moon. " I haven't come down from my cloud yet. I'm trying to stay there as much as possible, to enjoy it even more. I'm still looking at the photos (Laughs)." Yet the Frenchman is not a rookie discovering the joys of winning a race. Am 2021 champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup France, class winner at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, podium finisher in a support race for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Gentleman driver has an impressive track record. " This victory is the best of my career, without a doubt. It was the first year we raced together with my son, and it was already incredible. Winning with him is even stronger in terms of emotions, especially when you don't expect it. " Since his childhood, Louis has accompanied his father on the racetrack: as a spectator, then as an engineer, notably when he was on an internship as part of his studies, and now on the track in the dual role of coach and teammate. " He's helped me a lot with my driving. When he's around, I get a boost. "

At the start of the race, the N°4 car was far from being one of the contenders for victory. Eighteenth on the grid, Maxence Maurice admitted he " wasn't expecting anything. Christophe was starting and I was worried that it would be difficult for him, as he hadn't gained much confidence in the wet conditions at Mugello. But he's got a great character, he took it in his stride and did a very good stint. "

In eighth place at the halfway mark, Maxence Maurice was already on course for a 2h15 stint: " I never thought I'd ride that long. It went by very quickly, even though I seemed to be making a lot of mistakes. I picked myself up because I love the rain, the perilous moments when you just have to stay on the track. "

Once his son had settled behind the wheel, the father watched in the box as he made a fine comeback. Behind the safety car, caused by Iko Segret's (ANS Motorsport) accident in the last half-hour, Louis was in second place. The podium was already well underway. " Until the line is crossed, I don't believe in anything. I'm very down-to-earth about it. A little spin, an exit in the gravel trap, everything can change so quickly in the wet.

On the penultimate lap, it all came to a head: the N°5 CD Sport was idling, propelling Maurice and Christophe Carrière into the lead: " The mood was obviously mixed. I was disappointed for Thomas Imbourg and Jonathan Thomas, who are serious, hard-working guys. It would have been wonderful to do a double. From a personal point of view, it's not the same feeling to finish second or first. I don't know if we could have done one more lap. But when we do, it's wonderful."

Red-eyed Maxence Maurice watched his son take the chequered flag: " Seeing him cross the finish line was crazy. Everything came together to give him maximum thrills. Just thinking about it gives me the shivers.

With all that happiness behind them, it's time to turn our attention to the final race at Paul Ricard. While the trio have no ambitions in the overall standings, they are now a crew to watch. "We' re going to have to come down from the clouds! (Laughs) We've been good in the rain, we can be good in the dry. Louis is very fast, I'm not bad in Bronze and Christophe is making progress with every drive. I'm convinced that another podium finish is possible."

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