🇫🇷 Jules Caranta: The First Duqueine Academy Winner
At just 18 years old, Jules Caranta, from Saint-Tropez, France, became the first driver to benefit from the Duqueine Academy by Debard Automobiles programme.
In 2026, he made his debut in endurance racing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup with Nielsen Racing, driving a DUQUEINE D09 LMP3. He also gained valuable international experience in the United States with Forbush Performance, further demonstrating his ability to adapt to different racing environments.
His performances across the Atlantic attracted considerable attention, highlighted by a podium finish at Road America, followed by a pole position and two victories at Road Atlanta in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge.
His first season in endurance racing has provided an important foundation for his development and illustrates the ambition behind the Academy: giving promising young drivers the opportunity to progress and establish themselves in international motorsport.
🇫🇷 Enzo Peugeot: Michelin Le Mans Cup Champion
At 20, Enzo Peugeot arrives at the selection with an impressive record. Racing with R-ace GP in the DUQUEINE D09 LMP3, the young French driver secured three victories in six races, earning the Michelin Le Mans Cup title.
Having developed his skills through karting and single-seater racing, Enzo successfully made the transition to prototype racing. His rapid adaptation to endurance racing demonstrates his ability to understand a new discipline and make the most of the car’s potential.
His championship-winning season makes him one of the strong contenders for the 2027 opportunity. However, the shootout will provide a further opportunity to demonstrate his abilities beyond his racing results.
🇺🇸 Jagger Jones: Bringing American Racing Experience
At 24, American driver Jagger Jones brings valuable experience from the North American racing scene. In 2026, he returned to the LMP3 category in IMSA competition with FastMD with Remstar.
His competitive lap times have demonstrated both his speed and his ability to extract performance from the prototype. Racing in the United States has also given him valuable knowledge of the circuits and the demands of a highly competitive championship.
Consistency, technical feedback and teamwork will all be essential during the selection process. Jagger Jones will be looking to use his experience to secure a place in the 2027 programme.
🇩🇪 Valentino Catalano: An Experienced Prototype Driver
The 20-year-old German driver Valentino Catalano already has significant experience in LMP3 prototype racing.
In 2026, he competed in both Prototype Cup Europe and IMSA events with Gebhardt Motorsport. His experience in prototype racing has allowed him to develop a strong understanding of the category’s demands, including traffic management, consistency over race distances and technical feedback.
This background provides a solid foundation ahead of the shootout. In a selection featuring drivers with different racing backgrounds, Valentino will need to demonstrate that he has the potential to take the next step in his career.
🇩🇪 Matis Pluschkell: Building on His Endurance Racing Progress
At 22, Matis Pluschkell continued his development in endurance racing throughout the 2026 season.
Competing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup with BWT Mücke Motorsport at the wheel of a DUQUEINE D09 LMP3, the young German driver gained further experience in an international championship.
This season has provided valuable opportunities to develop his racecraft, understand the demands of prototype competition and improve his ability to work within an endurance racing team.
The shootout will be another important opportunity for Matis to demonstrate his progress and his potential for 2027.
🇱🇺 Pierre-Alexandre Provost: European Le Mans Series Experience
Luxembourg driver Pierre-Alexandre Provost completes the selection of six candidates.
In 2026, he competed in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) with R-ace GP, driving a DUQUEINE D09 LMP3. Competing in one of Europe’s leading endurance racing championships has allowed him to measure himself against a highly competitive field and gain further experience in prototype racing.
The ELMS provides a demanding environment in which consistency, race management and technical understanding are essential. This experience will be valuable as he prepares to compete for the 2027 opportunity.
The Shootout: Six Drivers, One Opportunity
The six selected drivers will meet on 23–24 November 2026 at the Pôle Mécanique d’Alès, in southern France, for the decisive selection stage.
While outright pace will naturally play an important role, the selection committee will assess a much broader range of skills. In endurance racing, speed alone is never enough.
Particular attention will be paid to:
- Consistency on track: maintaining a competitive and repeatable pace throughout driving sessions.
- Debriefing skills: accurately describing the car’s behaviour and providing clear, useful feedback.
- Technical understanding: analysing the DUQUEINE D09 LMP3’s performance and identifying areas for improvement.
- Ability to progress: understanding instructions, adapting quickly and translating feedback into improved performance.
- Professionalism and teamwork: working effectively with engineers and the team in a demanding motorsport environment.
These criteria are essential when identifying a driver capable of succeeding in endurance racing. The shootout will allow the committee to evaluate each candidate in practical conditions and assess their potential beyond their existing results.
A €150,000 Grant and a DUQUEINE D09 LMP3 Programme for 2027
At the end of the selection process, one driver will receive a €150,000 grant (excluding VAT) to support a 2027 racing programme at the wheel of a DUQUEINE D09 LMP3, with a team competing in an ACO-sanctioned championship.
Beyond the financial support itself, this represents a major opportunity for a young driver to take the next step towards an international endurance racing career.
Through this initiative, DUQUEINE Automotive and Debard Automobiles reaffirm their commitment to identifying emerging talent and supporting the future generation of endurance racing drivers.
At the heart of the programme is the DUQUEINE D09 LMP3, a prototype designed for endurance competition and a competitive platform on which young drivers can develop their skills, gain experience and demonstrate their potential.
Duqueine Academy by Debard Automobiles: Investing in the Future of Endurance Racing
With its second edition, the Duqueine Academy by Debard Automobiles continues to build on its ambition to discover promising drivers and provide them with a pathway into international endurance racing.
The six selected candidates bring different backgrounds and experiences, from Michelin Le Mans Cup victories and European Le Mans Series competition to IMSA racing and extensive LMP3 experience.
On 23–24 November, the shootout at the Pôle Mécanique d’Alès will determine which driver has what it takes to benefit from this opportunity in 2027.
Six drivers. One DUQUEINE D09 LMP3. One opportunity to take the next step in an endurance racing career.
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