Filip Salac replaces Lowes at MarcVDS
Elf Marc VDS team has announced that Filip Salac will be joining their Moto2 project for next year’s World Championship campaign, following the recent announcement that Sam Lowes will compete with the team in 2024, but in the World Superbike Championship. Read more about Lowes here (link).
Salac caught the eye in an impressive campaign in 2023 and after eight rounds he is sixth in the current standings with a season-best second place ahead of current Elf Marc VDS Racing and Moto2 World Championships head Tony Arbolino in Le Mans. His other Moto2 podium was also second only to Arbolino in the dramatic Thai Grand Prix last October.
Five top 10 finishes so far this season has highlighted Salac’s rapid progress in just his second season in Moto2, and he has impressed with his calm and analytical approach, strong work ethic and solid pace to become a top young prospect in the World Middleweight Championship category.
Filip Salak
“Joining Marc VDS has always been my goal. It’s like a dream come true. I’ve been watching races since I was a kid and I always thought Marc VDS was a great team where Tito Rabat, Franco Morbidelli and Alex Márquez won titles. And Jack Miller won the MotoGP in Assen. I have never forgotten these moments and that is why joining Marc VDS has always been my goal. To be a strong and competitive team every season, my ambitions will be very high. The goal will be to consistently be in the top 5 and win as many podiums as possible. There will be pressure as the team will provide me with the best materials, experience and efforts. But it was positive pressure to repay the faith that was expressed in me. I will try my best as I always do. I am a quiet racer and not too aggressive. I can think before I act and analyze when I can improve. I like to work hard and focus on improving myself. I am also a family member who loves to have fun. I think I can bring my positive energy to the team because I really want to have a good relationship with the crew and enjoy everything I do. Finally, I would like to thank the Team and especially Marc van der Straten for believing in me and all the sponsors who have helped me achieve my dreams so far.”
Born in 2001, Salac started his journey to the Grand Prix in the 2016 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and then he raced in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship.
His first full season at the World Championships came in 2019 when he competed for Team PruestelGP in the KTM, which finished with an excellent fifth place in Valencia’s finals. He switched to Honda machines with the Rivacold Sniper Team in 2020 before switching back to the PruestelGP team in mid-2021.
Gresini Racing gave him the opportunity to switch to Moto2 in 2022, with the highlight of his second time in Buriram. He stayed with Italy until 2023 and won the opening round of the season in Portugal and has won six top 10 finishes in the opening eight races.
Marc Van Der Straten – Owner of the VDS . team
“We know Filip’s ability. We are delighted to add to the talent and commitment Filip is showing to our Team. He has been quietly doing his business to become one of the drivers to beat this season. We know Filip’s abilities, and we would be happy and proud to give him all of our experience to help him reach the top. I am sure that he will do his best to achieve the best possible results in the shirt of Elf Marc VDS.”
