Why Jules Gounon is looking for a new challenge in 2025 and is determined to become a DTM driver – and what they think of the works driver at Mercedes-AMG
Mercedes-AMG works driver Jules Gounon made a strong debut at the DTM finale in Hockenheim, replacing HRT driver Luca Stolz who was unable to attend due to illness. He also wants to compete in the traditional series in 2025. “I would be very happy if the DTM became my main program because I love the series,”
“You have to be aggressive here – and a tough driver, which I can be at times. I like this pure sprint, pure performance mentality. It could be a good fit for me alongside endurance racing.”
The Frenchman, who competes for Andorra, impressed at Hockenheim with a fourth-place grid position as the best-placed AMG driver and a sixth-place finish in the race – and was the fastest man in the field at times. In the second race, he was unlucky to suffer a puncture.
Why hasn’t Gounon raced in the DTM before? “You’d have to ask Thomas”
Gounon, who has been promoted to a race driver at Alpine in the WEC Hypercar, would like a change of scenery at Mercedes-AMG in 2025. “I’ve been racing in the same championship since 2016,” he says, referring to the GT World Challenge Europe endurance series, which he won in 2022 and 2023 with the Akkodis-ASP team.
The unexpected DTM weekend as a rookie motivated him even more, he says. Why has it never worked out with a DTM regular cockpit so far, even though the son of ex-Formula 1 driver Jean-Marc Gounon has repeatedly demonstrated his speed? “You have to ask Thomas,” he says, passing the ball on to Thomas Jäger, who acts as sporting director of the DTM program at Mercedes-AMG. “It wasn’t my decision.”
His AMG contract still has a year to run. “It’s up to them. I hope they choose me,” he says, making his position clear.
This is how Mercedes-AMG responded to Gounon’s announcement
But how does Jäger react to the announcement of his driver, who made a DTM name for himself at Hockenheim? “We always knew he was good,” said the Mercedes-AMG manager about Gounon. “Luca Stolz was also the best Mercedes driver here last year. It’s the same engineer, it’s the same car, it’s a similar set-up. It wasn’t a surprise.“
Jäger adds: ‘If you ask our drivers who wants to race in the DTM, they’ll all shout, ’Here!‘ No one will say, ’No, I don’t want to’.” Gounon fulfilled expectations and delivered a solid performance on his debut, Jäger clarifies.
Gounon himself certainly feels ready for the task. “I know the car very well because I drive it everywhere,” says the Frenchman, who has been sitting in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 since 2016.
What makes the DTM different from other series? “It’s just the exposure, the fans, and the fact that the radio is transmitted,” he says. “I shouldn’t swear so much. You just get a lot of attention, and it’s a great championship.”
