Story
It started at five
At four, Gilles wanted a sport. Too young for football, he went karting with his father on local circuits. At five he was racing Bambino karts in club events in the United Kingdom. What stayed with him was the sensation: the speed, and the freedom of being alone with a kart. Ten years later, it is still the reason he drives.
Three seasons at the top of Mini
From his first full Mini season, Gilles won the championship. The next year he finished vice-champion. The year after, champion again, this time across the border. The seasons were not clean: one title was lost while comfortably leading, when a chain guard came off; another to a disqualification for being marginally under weight. He learned early how to get over a disappointment fast.
Selected by his federation. Champion for the FIA.
The FIA Karting Academy Trophy is the federation's own talent competition: one driver nominated per national federation, everyone on identical equipment. No budget advantage, no factory advantage. Only the driver. In 2024, Gilles won it.
Slovakia: pole position, every heat won but one, the final won by five seconds.
Sweden, the decider, in the rain: the start went wrong. Fifth was enough for the title. He came back to second anyway, because a podium was the point.
The works team
In 2026 Gilles joined Tony Kart Racing Team, the factory team of karting's most successful manufacturer, and moved up to OK one year ahead of the usual age. At La Conca, in the FIA Karting European Championship, he was at the front from his first weekend: fastest in the heats, second in the pre-final, fifth in the final. The rest of the season brought a run of technical setbacks that cost results, not pace: across the year, Gilles was the strongest driver in the works team.
Calm. Rational. Driven.
His own words, and the words of the people around him: intelligent, hard-headed, helpful, gritty.
Values: hard work, dedication, loyalty, fairness, and always going 100% without holding back.
Who he looks up to: Fernando Alonso for his relentless character, Michael Schumacher for his working style, Max Verstappen for his creativity and thinking outside the box.
Away from the track: swimming, golf, music, and his little brother.
“Winning championships, and beating the best racers in the world.”
Gilles