Bugatti’s new era includes a new official driver.
Known for its groundbreaking hypercars with revolutionary performance, Bugatti is known for pushing the boundaries of performance and creating machines that very few other cars can match the driving experience of. Accordingly, the Bugatti Pilote Officiel has the important job during the development of new Bugatti models of ensuring not only the performance abilities of the ultimate hypercars the historic manufacturer is known for, but also the safety and reliability of those cars.
Since the introduction of the historic Veyron in 2005, Bugatti’s Pilote Officiel has been Pierre-Henri Raphanel, and after nearly 20 years, that role has now been given to a new driver: Bruno Spengler. Raphanel entered the role of Pilote Officiel for Bugatti as an incredibly qualified racing driver, having raced in the prestigious Formula 1 series, and competed in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. As part of the Bugatti team, Raphanel played an instrumental role in the creation of the manufacturer’s greatest icons, including the Veyron, Chiron, and their numerous variants.
Spengler takes on the role after an impressive racing career, as well. He raced for Mercedes-Benz in the DTM arena, and helped bring BMW back to DTM, racing for BMW from 2012 to 2019. During his tenure, he earned 16 victories, 50 podium finishes, and the 2012 DTM title. With appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, he enters the Pilote Officiel role at Bugatti at a pivotal time, when the new Tourbillon hybrid hypercar is making its mark on the manufacturer’s historic legacy.
Raphanel, while stepping down as Pilote Officiel, will continue to be a brand ambassador for Bugatti, with a strong connection to the brand remaining. However, with Bruno Spengler now at the wheel, Bugatti’s Pilote Officiel position, a true dream job, enters a new era along with the manufacturer as a whole.
Image Source: Bugatti