About J.K.
Jean-Karl is a highly experienced driver, having been successful in a number of different motorsport series over his 16 year career. The Frenchman started in single-seater’s, spending three years in the Formula 3 Euro series before moving to Indy Lights in 2010 where he won the championship in his debut season. He then transitioned to GT racing, winning the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup France. Jean-Karl found success in the world of endurance racing, taking part in multiple seasons of the FIA World Endurance Championship and winning the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMGTE Am class in 2013. In 2016, he moved over to touring cars and competed in the TCR International Series. He won the driver’s title in only his second season in the championship before making the move to the FIA World Touring Car Cup.
During his four years at the pinnacle of touring car racing, Jean-Karl has collected seven race wins and 16 podiums, and finished third overall in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Alongside his WTCR duties, Jean-Karl was behind the wheel of our Veloster N ETCR for the inaugural Pure ETCR season in 2021. After finishing second in the drivers’ standings, he will continue to compete for us in the series, which has been re-branded as the FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup for the 2022 season.
Photos
Career
2021 | FIA World Touring Car Cup Pure ETCR |
2020 | FIA World Touring Car Cup |
2019 | FIA World Touring Car Cup |
2018 | FIA World Touring Car Cup TCR Europe Touring Car Series |
2017 | TCR International Series |
2016 | TCR International Series |
2013 | FIA World Endurance Championship Porsche Supercup |
2012 | Porsche Carrera Cup France |
2010 | Indy Lights |
2009 | Formula 3 Euro Series |
2008 | Formula 3 Euro Series |
2007 | Formula 3 Euro Series |
Q&A
Q1.Who is your motorsport idol?
Ludovic Baetz, my hero in karting. He showed me the passion of motorsport and helped me winning my spirit! I also liked Fisichella when I was young as we share the same first name and his helmet design inspired mine.
Q2.What are your hobbies?
Golf, ski touring and cycling. I also love traveling and discovering new places as I’m a fan of history, geography and architecture.
Q3.What is your ideal destination for a holiday?
A trip around South America with meat tasting in Argentina, a few days of skiing in Chile, before finishing in Costa Rica for a week at the beach surfing in Santa Teresa!
Q4.Which profession would you have chosen if you hadn’t become a race driver?
Actor! I did theatre when I was younger and always liked being in front of the camera. More seriously, I would have loved to have worked in sports media.
Q5.What is your favorite food?
French and Italian cuisine, and Korean BBQ when I’m in Asia!
Q6.Describe yourself in 3 words
Determined, determined and determined!