Motorsport: Matis Barbe, 19 years old, wins the Jules Bianchi Steering Wheel in Proto Racing Series in 2027

At 19 years old, the French karting champion won the first edition of the Jules Bianchi Steering Wheel, organized from November 3-6 on the Alès circuit. Winner of the final with only 0.068 seconds ahead of Luis Cavaco-Martins, the young driver will join the Bianchi Lagorce Racing Team for the 2027 season.

A new chapter is opening in Matis Barbe’s career. After several years in karting and a FFSA French champion title in X30 Senior earned in July 2026, the 19-year-old driver won the first Jules Bianchi Steering Wheel. The final took place on the Alès circuit, at the end of four days of training and selection bringing together eleven participants from France and abroad.

Organized from November 3-6, this first edition allowed young drivers to discover several aspects of motorsport. The program included driving, mechanics, physical preparation, nutrition, technical English and media training. Each participant also completed 70 laps behind the wheel of Caterham cars from Vincent Beltoise’s team, on both dry and wet track.

A final won by 68 thousandths of a second

Following this training, four drivers were selected for the final stage: Matis Barbe, Grégoire Merly-Alpa, Ethan Kock and Luis Cavaco-Martins. The finalists competed in two series of seven timed laps. The ranking was based on the average of the three best times, with particular attention paid to consistency.

Victory was decided by a narrow margin. Matis Barbe beat Luis Cavaco-Martins by 0.068 seconds. The latter set the best time of the final on the last lap, but failed to overtake in the overall standings. « It’s still difficult to realize everything that just happened, reacted the winner a few minutes after his performance was announced. Winning this first edition of the Jules Bianchi Steering Wheel means so much to me. After all these years in karting, having the opportunity today to move into cars is an immense pride. Carrying Jules’ colors means carrying values of solidarity, mutual aid, respect and team spirit. This is just the beginning of a new adventure, and I really can’t wait to write it with the whole team. »

This victory opens the doors of the Bianchi Lagorce Racing Team for the entire 2027 season. Matis Barbe will drive the Proto Racing Series n°17 at five European events, under the colors of the Jules Bianchi Association and its partners, Richard Mille, GCA Trucks, Milwaukee and Stand 21.

The young driver will share the garage with Louis Schlesser, son of Jean-Louis Schlesser, endurance world champion. The name of the third team member will be announced soon.

For Philippe Bianchi, Team Manager, this first edition meets the objectives set. « Passion, work, motivation, commitment, team spirit, performance: all objectives have been achieved », he declared, before praising the champion’s performance and the achievements of all participants.

Franck Lagorce, sporting director of the Bianchi Lagorce Racing Team, also highlighted the level displayed during the week. « Luis Cavaco-Martins like Matis Barbe, the fastest in the final, were the locomotive of the group on track. We will do everything so that Matis can progress under the best conditions and carry Jules’ colors next season in our team. »

The 2027 season will begin on March 12 in Barcelona, as part of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), a championship in which Grasse driver Théo Pourchaire competed in 2025, now a driver in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). The calendar will then take the team to Paul Ricard, Zolder, Zandvoort and Portimão. For Matis Barbe, this first season in cars will mark the beginning of a new sporting chapter, with the objective to advance his career within the team founded around Jules Bianchi’s legacy.