PURE ETCR joins another talent to its already prestigious list of pilots for next weekend’s race in Denmark, by counting with one of the GT series’ vibrant stars. He is Philipp Eng, the first Austrian to debut in the innovative electric touring car category.
Born in Salzburg, the 31-year-old Eng will race for the first time behind the wheel of the Romeo Ferraris-M1RA Giulia ETCR, replacing Stefano Coletti for the rest of the season.
“I’m really looking forward to race the Romeo Ferraris Giulia ETCR in PURE ETCR. The car looks amazing and I can’t wait to drive it for the first time, test it and get ready for our first event together in Copenhagen,” Eng stated.
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He also shared his motivation for arriving at this new tournament. “I am very excited to race in this new series and I am sure it will be a successful experience for both sides. I will do everything I can for the team and I can’t wait to be on the right track. I want to thank Michela (Cerruti) for the confidence on me, as well as BMW M Motorsport for giving me the opportunity to compete in this championship.”
Michela Cerruti, Romeo Ferraris Operations Manager, noted, “I am delighted to welcome Philipp Eng to our team for the PURE ETCR project. He is a driver I have highly valued since we both raced for BMW and I am sure he will contribute a lot to our project.”
“We don’t have much time ahead of Copenhagen to introduce the car to him, but the fact that the Danish circuit is new to everyone will certainly level the tournament,” he added.
A Great Track Record
Since he was 16 years old, Eng has been dominating the racetracks after his debut in 2006. He won the 2007 Formula BMW World Finals and was also the winner of the FIA Formula Two in season 2009-10.
The Austrian turned to sports car racing in 2011, taking the Porsche Supercup crown, a national competition in Germany with similar machinery. He was also hired as a BMW factory driver and became a graduate in endurance racing, where he has enjoyed his greatest achievements.
Image: pure-etcr.com
A two-time overall winner at the Spa 24 Hours, Eng scored victories in his class at both the Daytona and Nurburgring 24 Hours, and was in the overall pole position for the latter event this year.
Additionally, he was a DTM race winner, and has gained experience with electric racing cars in his BMW i Andretti Motorsport Formula E reserve driver role.
Farewell to Coletti
The Italian is currently 12th and last in the general standings, after participating in the first two PURE ETCR events for Romeo Ferraris.
“I am grateful to Romeo Ferraris for the opportunity given to me so far to participate in a historical event such as the beginning of the first electric touring car championship. Our partnership comes to an end after the first two rounds,” said Coletti.
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Cerruti said about the driver: “I thank Stefano Coletti for his contribution to the Romeo Ferraris Giulia ETCR project. He was one of the first to get into this car at Vallelunga when he took his first steps, and this will remain forever in the project’s history. We wish him all the best in the future of his career.”
The PURE ETCR Race DK, which will be held on the Bellahøj Park street circuit as part of the Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix, will be the third event of the inaugural season of the world’s first all-electric multi-brand touring car series.
Written by I Jhonattan González
