Skip advert
Advertisement

2014 GT Academy winner

The 2014 winner of the Gran Turismo-derived GT Academy has been crowned. Meet young Frenchman Gaëtan Paletou

2014 GT Academy winner

The NISMO PlayStation GT Academy 2014 winner has been crowned at Silverstone Circuit. After a gruelling eight days of being pushed both on and off the track, Gaëtan Paletou was declared the winner of the 41 European finalists.

Paletou, a 22-year-old from Barzun, France, now has the opportunity to prove that he has what it takes to become a NISMO Athlete and race all over the globe for Nissan. Previous winner Lucas Ordoñez now races in the Japanese Super GT series and Jann Mardenborough won a race in this year’s GP3 series, while both have competed at the Le Mans 24 Hours, among other endurance races.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Over the eight-day period, competitors were trained and mentored by a number of professional drivers in a range of Nissans including the GT-R and a 370Z racecar. Other challenges came in the form of physical tests such as Mud Mayhem courses and Rage Buggy Racing.

On the final day the seven remaining competitors set lap times around Silverstone Circuit, the slowest two being eliminated to leave the final bunch to battle it out on track in the 370Z racers. The final decision was made amongst the judges and Paletou was declared as the victor.

‘It’s incredible’, said an elated Paletou. ‘I was so happy that I won the race, but I didn’t know that I would win GT Academy.’

Paletou will now go on to enjoy four months at one of the most advanced and successful driver development programmes in the world. This will be followed by Paletou racing for the Nissan NISMO race team in the testing international Dubai 24 Hour race in January 2015.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Porsche 911 Carrera S 2025 review – a 473bhp BMW M4 CS fighter
Porsche 911 Carrera S – pictures
Reviews

Porsche 911 Carrera S 2025 review – a 473bhp BMW M4 CS fighter

A new Carrera S has arrived with supercar-baiting pace and a £120k starting price – is it the sweet spot of the 992.2 range?
25 Apr 2025
Aston Martin Vantage (1993 - 2000) review – Britain's 550bhp hand-built muscle car
Aston Martin Vantage V550 – front
Reviews

Aston Martin Vantage (1993 - 2000) review – Britain's 550bhp hand-built muscle car

One of Aston Martin's last true hand-built models, the ludicrous twin-supercharged Vantage was a muscle car crossed with a stately home
24 Apr 2025
Used Ford Mustang (S550, 2015 - 2023) review – Ford’s V8 muscle car for £20k
Ford Mustang (S550) front
In-depth reviews

Used Ford Mustang (S550, 2015 - 2023) review – Ford’s V8 muscle car for £20k

The S550 appeared ten years ago as a more sophisticated kind of Mustang, in right-hand drive and with the job of tempting European sports car buyers. …
23 Apr 2025