Sven van Laere signed a contract with Lucas Lasserre’s Speedhouse for the remainder of the 2025 season – The Belgian will sub for the injured Matthias Hauer and take the wheel of the #64 Ford Mustang
- Sven van Laere joins Speedhouse
- The Belgian will compete in OPEN
- Lasserre wishes Matthias Hauer a speedy recovery
Speedhouse found a new OPEN driver for the remainder of the 2025 NASCAR Euro Series season in Sven van Laere. The Belgian will sub for injured Matthias Hauer who’s unlikely going to race this year. Van Laere and Speedhouse team owner Lucas Lasserre already built a solid relationship as competitors in the EuroNASCAR paddock and will now work together to fight for glory in the 2025 Legend Trophy class for drivers aged 45 and over in the OPEN championship.
“Since my first visit to the NASCAR Euro Series, I was impressed by the presentation of Speedhouse, and even more importantly, there was a very positive connection between Lucas and me from our first conversations in the paddock,” van Laere said. “As a gentleman driver, that personal connection is probably the most important factor in working together, but I’m also confident that Speedhouse will provide me with a perfectly prepared car to fight for a Legend Trophy podium. I’m excited and looking forward to starting our collaboration at Vallelunga!”
Lasserre has been part of the series since its first season back in 2009 and therefore the Frenchman knows the car like the back of his hand. He’s happy to have van Laere on board. “We are delighted to welcome Sven to Speedhouse for the rest of the 2025 EuroNASCAR Open championship,” said Lasserre. “I’ve known Sven for quite a while, and we’ve always stayed in touch over the past three seasons.”
“Sven is a great person with strong values, and I really appreciate that about him. As a driver, he brings experience and excellent reliability, and he checks all the boxes to join our team, so I’m thrilled to have him on board. In addition to the racing side, we also have a commercial partnership that naturally led to our agreement for the remainder of the 2025 season. I’m confident he will be a strong contender for the 2025 Legend Trophy championship. Sven, welcome to the Blue family!”
Van Laere stepped away from racing back in 2024 but he was cleared to compete again early 2025. His son Maxim also competes in EuroNASCAR but with PK Carsport in the Rookie Challenge. The Belgian balances supporting his son with enjoying the pure racing of EuroNASCAR on race weekends. But there’s more: Speedhouse wanted to have Hauer on board, but the German had to withdraw from the 2025 season due to injury. Therefore, his cockpit was vacant and will now be filled by van Laere.
“I would just like to once again wish my friend and driver Matthias Hauer a strong and speedy recovery,” said Lasserre. “Matt will always have a special place in the team and will always have a seat available. He will always be the first Speedhouse driver!”
The 2025 NASCAR Euro Series season will continue on May 17-18 at Autodromo di Vallelunga in Italy. Qualifying and all races will be broadcast live on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel and plenty of TV networks from all around the world.
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Nina Weinbrenner
