2012 DTM Champion
Spengler, now 41, has been active in the DTM since 2005, winning the championship driving a BMW M3 DTM. He also competed in Japan’s Super GT in 2023.
Since the brand’s revival in 2005, the role of Bugatti Pilot Official has been an essential part of vehicle development and PR. For nearly 20 years, Pierre-Henri Raphanel has represented Bugatti at the wheel of hypercars, demonstrating their performance to customers around the world. From 2025, Bruno Spengler will take over as official test driver.
Born in Alsace, France in 1983 and raised in Canada, Spengler began his career in karting, progressing steadily through Formula Renault and European F3, before joining the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) in 2005. He competed for Mercedes-Benz and BMW, and won the series championship in 2012 driving a BMW M3 DTM.
As a Bugatti representative driver, he will take part in various events, utilizing the experience he has gained in a diverse racing career, from Formula, touring cars, prototypes and GT machines, to share his expertise with Bugatti customers around the world and demonstrate the performance of Bugatti’s hyper sports cars, including the Tourbillon, which will be launched in 2024.
Upon being appointed as an official Bugatti Pilot, Spengler expressed his delight:
“When the opportunity arose to join such a great brand as Bugatti, there was no reason to hesitate. In my eyes, Bugatti is one of the most prestigious brands in the world. It’s a childhood dream come true and truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“As a child, I used to spend hours playing the card game Auto-Quartett. The strongest card was always a Bugatti EB110. That’s where my passion for the Bugatti brand began. I was born here in Alsace, close to Molsheim, and still live nearby. To be honest, it still feels surreal, but I’m incredibly proud. This is a new challenge and one that will be different and exciting.”
Raphanel becomes brand ambassador
After 19 years as an official driver, Raphanel will now become a brand ambassador and will also take part in historic car projects.
Pierre-Henri Raphanel has been an official Bugatti pilot for nearly 20 years. A former Formula 1 driver and accomplished racer at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Raphanel has been dedicated to showcasing the performance of Bugatti’s iconic models, from the Veyron 16.4 to the Chiron, since taking over in 2005. In 2010, he set a world speed record for a production car at the wheel of a Veyron Super Sport.
Raffanel will be a new Bugatti brand ambassador and will also be involved in historic car projects such as the Bugatti Type 52. Raffanel, who will retire from his position as Bugatti Pilot Official in 2024, shared his memories as follows:
“Honestly, I remember coming to Bugatti without any expectations (laughs). The first time I drove a Veyron, it was a shock. As a racing driver, I was used to handling cars with over 1,000 PS, but the experience at Bugatti was something else entirely. I was so surprised that I ended up staying in the car for eight hours that day…”
“If you’ve never driven a Bugatti, you’ll never truly understand the feeling. I can tell you the story and explain how amazing it was, but unless you experience it yourself, you can’t fully grasp it. There’s just no other feeling like it.”
“My time as a Bugatti Pilot Official cannot be contained in one book. It is the end of a chapter in my life, spanning 19 years. It was not just a job, it was about dedication and passion, and sharing that with thousands of people through 11,000 test drives.”
“Bugatti Blue is in my blood. My next role at Bugatti will be to continue my journey as a brand ambassador. I believe that without the last 20 years I have spent with Bugatti, I would not have been able to take on the projects I am currently undertaking.”
