Most motorsport fans will be familiar with the name Jo Siffert. But what does the Swiss motorsport legend have in common with the ADAC GT Masters? The link is 20-year-old Swiss driver Grégory De Sybourg – the grandson of the former Formula 1 driver with 96 Grands Prix to his name. De Sybourg starts alongside Eduardo Coseteng in this year’s ADAC GT Masters, in which he drives a BMW M4 GT3 for the FK Performance team. In an interview, he describes how he got into motorsport and discusses his goals.
With former Formula 1 driver Jo Siffert as your grandfather, was it inevitable that you would be mad about motorsport? My grandfather’s legacy has obviously had an effect on my entire family. I was pretty much born with a love of motorsport. As well as my grandfather, my parents are also fascinated by motor racing and have both competed in motorsport in the past. As such, it was clear that I would take my place in a go-kart sooner or later. My friends used to play football and hockey, but I was bitten by the motorsport bug on my first drive. From then on, I only had one goal: to become a racing driver. My mother had to convince my father to buy a kart, but she didn’t have to work too hard, as he also shares the same passion.
Several languages are spoken in Switzerland. Which did you grow up speaking? They speak French and German in my Swiss home of Freiburg. However, as I grew up in the French part, that was the greater influence. Having said that, you should have a good command of both languages. For this reason, when I finished school, I spent five months in both Munich and Hannover to improve my German. That is a big advantage now, as I am driving for a German team. Plus, I have been working hard on improving my English since the start of the year, as that is one of the most important languages in motorsport.
Why did you opt for the ADAC GT Masters? I was immediately very interested in the ADAC GT Masters. The fact that the series focusses on young drivers was a decisive argument for me. Furthermore, I am impressed by the “Road to DTM” junior concept, which serves as an extra motivation for all the drivers. It has ultimately been the right decision to contest my first GT3 season in the ADAC GT Masters.
What was your career path before you entered the ADAC GT Masters? Up until 2019, I was racing in various karting series in Switzerland. I spent the following year in Germany, to learn the language and prepare for my introduction to motorsport. At the same time, my parents contacted my current manager Benoît Morand, who has been looking after me since a successful test in a Formula 4 car. I then got involved in prototype racing in 2022. My rookie year was pretty good, with several podiums, a victory and the title of best young driver. After that, I switched to an endurance series, in which I claimed four podiums and finished runner-up in the championship.
You are racing alongside Eduardo Coseteng, who also drove in the ADAC GT Masters last year. How helpful is that for you? It is super. Eduardo knows the car and most of the circuits we are driving at. That is very beneficial for my personal development. The other drivers in the team are also very helpful, so the atmosphere in the FK Performance team is excellent.
How were the first few races for you? After a tough start to the season in Oschersleben, we scored our first points in Zandvoort. We want to back that up at the Nürburgring and have set our sights on the top five. As I am viewing this season as a learning year, I am primarily focussing on my personal development. I am noticing that I am improving from race to race. I then want to challenge for the title next season.
What are your fondest motorsport memories? My first podium and, of course, the first win. Above all, however, the fact that I was able to fulfil a dream on my 20th birthday. It was then that I attended my first test with FK Performance in a BMW M4 GT3 in Portimão. I couldn’t have asked for a better present.
What is your long-term goal? I want to drive for BMW in the FIA WEC or ELMS. I find the 24 Hours of Le Mans particularly appealing. I would love to race there.
