Wikipedia

Thomas Neubauer

Thomas Neubauer (born 8 June 1999) is a French professional racing driver. He is the reigning champion of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup in the Silver Cup category, having also won the Dubai 24 Hour race overall, the Nürburgring 24 Hours in class and the Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali all in the same year.[1][2]

Thomas Neubauer
Neubauer in 2023.
Nationality French
Born (1999-06-08) 8 June 1999 (age 25)
Paris, France
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup career
Current teamROFGO Racing with Team WRT
Racing licence FIA Gold
Car number30
Starts15 (15 entries)
Wins3
Podiums5
Poles3
Fastest laps0
Best finish1st (Silver Cup) in 2022
Previous series
2018–2022
2017–2018
2017
2016		Ferrari Challenge Europe
Formula Renault Eurocup
Toyota Racing Series
V de V Challenge Monoplace
Championship titles
2022
2019		GTWC Europe Endurance – Silver
GTWC Europe Sprint – Silver

Early career

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Lower formulae

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After making his single-seater debut at the back end of 2016, scoring a podium in the V de V Challenge Monoplace, Neubauer took part in the Toyota Racing Series during the winter of the following year.[3][4] He ended up 17th in the standings, taking home a best finish of ninth at Taupo.

Formula Renault

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Neubauer racing in Formula Renault Eurocup at Monza in 2017.

His main campaign during 2017 would lie in the Formula Renault Eurocup, where Neubauer partnered Gabriel Aubry, Thomas Maxwell and Max Fewtrell at Tech 1 Racing.[5] The season proved to be disappointing, as the Frenchman failed to score any points, with his teammates all finishing ahead of him in the championship.

For the 2018 season, Neubauer returned to the French outfit, once again competing in the Eurocup.[6] Two top-ten finishes, which included a sixth place at Monza, were enough to place Neubauer 17th overall at the end of the campaign.

Sportscar career

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2019: GT debut and first title

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In 2019, Neubauer made a switch to sportscar racing, partnering Nico Bastian in the Silver category of the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup with AKKA ASP,[7][8] whilst also competing in the Ferrari Challenge Europe for the Charles Pozzi – Courage operation. The season in the latter would bear fruit, as Neubauer took three podiums, coupled with a pole position during the opening round, which propelled him to sixth in the standings despite missing the round at the Red Bull Ring. Meanwhile, the Frenchman experienced an even more successful campaign in the Blancpain Sprint Cup, where four class victories, which included an overall win on his GT debut in Brands Hatch at the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3, made him and his German teammate Silver Cup champions.[9][10]

2020: Further victories

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Neubauer remained in the Silver Cup in 2020, returning to his old Formula Renault team Tech 1 Racing to perform double duties in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance and Sprint cups, aboard a Lexus RC F GT3.[11] In the former, a sole podium at the final round in Le Castellet ended up being the highlight of a season that concluded with Neubauer, Timothé Buret and Aurélien Panis taking eighth in the Silver Cup classification. In the latter, the Frenchman finished seventh and last of all full-time Silver Cup entries despite winning Race 2 at Zandvoort and taking two overall pole positions in Misano.[12][13][14]

During the same year, Neubauer once again raced in the Ferrari Challenge, taking three victories from as many events.

2021: Focus on Endurance

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For 2021, the Frenchman would be restricted to the GTWC Europe Endurance Cup, where he drove for Walkenhorst Motorsport alongside Martin Tomczyk and former F1 driver Timo Glock.[15] Unfortunately for Neubauer, he and his teammates were unable to score any podiums throughout the campaign, which left them with a championship finish of 22nd, albeit as the highest-placed BMW squad.[16] The Ferrari Challenge Europe, where Neubauer once again drove for the team bearing the name of Charles Pozzi, would yield just three podiums, with the French driver competing in three out of seven rounds.[17]

In addition, Neubauer made his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, racing a Ferrari 488 GTE Evo in the LMGTE Am category for JMW Motorsport.[18] The team retired from the race after 117 laps.

2022: Multiple championship victories

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Having begun his 2022 season by winning the Dubai 24 Hour race from pole position,[19][20] Neubauer was announced to be joining ROFGO Racing with Team WRT, driving an Audi R8 LMS Evo II alongside Benjamin Goethe in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup, with the two being partnered by Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer in the Endurance Cup.[21][22]

The season in the Sprint Cup began disappointingly, with a collision in Race 1 at Brands Hatch being followed by a 16th place the following day. Next came two top-ten finishes in class at Magny-Cours, before Neubauer and Goethe finished third in class at both Zandvoort races, results which also yielded their first points of the overall championship.[23] More success came at the penultimate round in Misano, as the pairing won their class and took an overall podium in the first race, which they followed by scoring another podium in the Silver Cup on Sunday, with a lapped car blocking Neubauer at the safety car restart, costing the team a chance of obtaining a double class victory.[24][25] The campaign ended with a fourth place and class podium at Valencia, placing Neubauer and Goethe third in the Sprint Cup standings.[26]

Even more glory came in the Endurance Cup, a campaign which Neubauer and his teammates started by taking a class victory in Imola, after which the trio scored a fourth place in the Silver Cup at Le Castellet.[27][28] Neubauer and the team managed to put together a mistake-free race during the crowning jewel of the calendar, the 24 Hours of Spa, which earned them the Silver Cup win, which the Frenchman called his "most beautiful victory".[29] Third in class at the Hockenheimring proved to be enough for Neubauer, Simmenauer and Goethe to confirm their status as Silver Cup champions.[30] Despite clinching the championship with a race to go, the outfit went on to finish the season in style, winning the season finale in Barcelona.[31]

As well as the victory in Dubai, Neubauer would take two further victories in one-off races during the year, winning the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in the SP10 category, whilst also taking the checkered flag first in the Finali Mondiali of the Ferrari Challenge.[32][33] Neubauer's performances in the 2022 season earned him an upgrade to gold status in the FIA's driver categorisation for 2023.[34]

2023

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2023 saw Neubauer return to Team WRT, joining Simmenauer in the Pro class of the 2023 Sprint Cup.[35]

Personal life

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Neubauer was a late starter to racing, coming into contact with the sport of karting at the age of 13. Having been focused on his studies, the Frenchman went on to study sports science at the École de management Paris La Défense.[36]

Racing record

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Racing career summary

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Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2016 V de V Challenge Monoplace Formula Motorsport 9 0 0 0 1 283 13th
Formula Renault 2.0 NEC 2 0 0 0 0 1 32nd
2017 Toyota Racing Series MTEC Motorsport 15 0 0 0 0 308 17th
Formula Renault Eurocup Tech 1 Racing 23 0 0 0 0 0 23rd
Formula Renault NEC 6 0 0 0 0 42 13th
2018 Formula Renault Eurocup Tech 1 Racing 16 0 0 0 0 9 17th
Formula Renault NEC 4 0 0 0 0 0 NC†
2019 Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup AKKA ASP Team 10 1 0 0 1 29 9th
Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup - Silver Cup 10 4 3 1 6 112.5 1st
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup HB Racing 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup - Am 1 0 0 0 0 24 18th
Ferrari Challenge Europe - Trofeo Pirelli Charles Pozzi – Courage 10 0 1 0 3 81 6th
Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali - Trofeo Pirelli 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 5th
VLN Series - V4 Jaco's Paddock Motorsport 1 0 0 0 0 6.74 92nd
2020 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Tech 1 Racing 4 0 0 0 0 0 NC
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup - Silver Cup 4 0 1 0 1 44 8th
GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup 10 0 2 1 0 14.5 16th
GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup - Silver Cup 10 1 2 4 2 60 7th
Ferrari Challenge Europe - Trofeo Pirelli Charles Pozzi – Courage 6 3 4 3 4 73 5th
Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali - Trofeo Pirelli 1 0 1 0 0 N/A DSQ
2021 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Walkenhorst Motorsport 5 0 0 0 0 9 22nd
Nürburgring Endurance Series - SP9 5 0 0 0 0 N/A NC†
Ferrari Challenge Europe - Trofeo Pirelli Charles Pozzi – Courage 5 0 0 0 3 45 7th
Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali - Trofeo Pirelli 1 0 0 0 0 N/A DNF
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMGTE Am JMW Motorsport 1 0 0 0 0 N/A DNF
2022 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup ROFGO Racing with Team WRT 5 0 0 0 0 1 35th
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup - Silver Cup 5 3 2 0 4 125 1st
GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup 10 0 0 0 1 18.5 11th
GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup - Silver Cup 10 1 1 1 5 82 3rd
Intercontinental GT Challenge Team WRT 1 0 0 0 0 2 18th
24H GT Series - GT3 MS7 by WRT 1 1 0 0 1 0 NC†
Dubai 24 Hour - GT3-Pro 1 1 1 0 1 N/A 1st
24 Hours of Nürburgring - SP10 FK Performance Motorsport 1 1 0 0 1 N/A 1st
Ferrari Challenge Europe - Trofeo Pirelli Charles Pozzi – Courage 6 0 0 0 3 44 7th
Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali - Trofeo Pirelli 1 1 1 1 1 N/A 1st
2023 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Walkenhorst Motorsport 4 0 0 0 0 0 NC
24 Hours of Nürburgring - SP9 1 0 0 0 0 N/A DNF
GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup Team WRT 10 0 0 0 1 12.5 11th
Ferrari Challenge Europe - Trofeo Pirelli (Pro) Charles Pozzi GT Racing 1 1 1 1 1 23 7th
International GT Open Team Motopark 2 0 0 0 0 6 28th
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMGTE Am JMW Motorsport 1 0 0 0 0 N/A DNF
2024 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup AF Corse - Francorchamps Motors
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD Pro DragonSpeed

† As Neubauer was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points.
* Season still in progress.

Complete Toyota Racing Series results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 DC Points
2017 MTEC Motorsport RUA
1
16 		RUA
2
18 		RUA
3
14 		TER
1
20 		TER
2
13 		TER
3
13 		HMP
1
Ret 		HMP
2
14 		HMP
3
13 		TAU
1
11 		TAU
2
9 		TAU
3
18 		MAN
1
16 		MAN
2
15 		MAN
3
14 		17th 308

Complete Formula Renault Eurocup results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Pos Points
2017 Tech 1 Racing MNZ
1
23 		MNZ
2
11 		SIL
1
18 		SIL
2
17 		PAU
1
24 		PAU
2
24 		MON
1
Ret 		MON
2
Ret 		HUN
1
17 		HUN
2
27 		HUN
3
15 		NÜR
1
15 		NÜR
2
Ret 		RBR
1
17 		RBR
2
11 		LEC
1
16 		LEC
2
14 		SPA
1
25 		SPA
2
33 		SPA
3
29 		CAT
1
Ret 		CAT
2
Ret 		CAT
3
19 		23rd 0
2018 Tech 1 Racing LEC
1
12 		LEC
2
17 		MNZ
1
14 		MNZ
2
6 		SIL
1
18 		SIL
2
24 		MON
1
26 		MON
2
23 		RBR
1
DNS 		RBR
2
DNS 		SPA
1
WD 		SPA
2
WD 		HUN
1
Ret 		HUN
2
Ret 		NÜR
1
21 		NÜR
2
10 		HOC
1
Ret 		HOC
2
Ret 		CAT
1
14 		CAT
2
23 		17th 9

Complete GT World Challenge results

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GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pos. Points
2019 AKKA ASP Team Mercedes-AMG GT3 Silver BRH
1
1 		BRH
2
8 		MIS
1
20 		MIS
2
6 		ZAN
1
9 		ZAN
2
12 		NÜR
1
24 		NÜR
2
18 		HUN
1
7 		HUN
2
8 		1st 112.5
2020 Tech 1 Racing Lexus RC F GT3 Silver MIS
1
Ret 		MIS
2
15 		MIS
3
19 		MAG
1
Ret 		MAG
2
18 		ZAN
1
7 		ZAN
2
4 		CAT
1
12 		CAT
2
19 		CAT
3
8 		7th 60
2022 ROFGO Racing with Team WRT Audi R8 LMS Evo II Silver BRH
1
Ret 		BRH
2
16 		MAG
1
11 		MAG
2
13 		ZAN
1
10 		ZAN
2
10 		MIS
1
3 		MIS
2
10 		VAL
1
4 		VAL
2
15 		3rd 82
2023 BMW M Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 Pro BRH
1
13 		BRH
2
15 		MIS
1
15 		MIS
2
3 		HOC
1
11 		HOC
2
11 		VAL
1
16 		VAL
2
29 		ZAN
1
7 		ZAN
2
13 		11th 12.5

* Season still in progress.

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup

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(Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pos. Points
2019 HB Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 Am MNZ SIL LEC SPA
6H
43 		SPA
12H
43 		SPA
24H
38 		CAT 18th 24
2020 Tech 1 Racing Lexus RC F GT3 Silver IMO
19 		NÜR
39 		SPA
6H
28 		SPA
12H
43 		SPA
24H
Ret 		LEC
16 		8th 44
2021 Walkenhorst Motorsport BMW M6 GT3 Pro MNZ
12 		LEC
9 		SPA
6H
3 		SPA
12H
49† 		SPA
24H
Ret 		NÜR
15 		CAT
Ret 		22nd 9
2022 ROFGO Racing with Team WRT Audi R8 LMS Evo II Silver IMO
14 		LEC
15 		SPA
6H
15 		SPA
12H
19 		SPA
24H
13 		HOC
10 		CAT
11 		1st 125
2023 Walkenhorst Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 Bronze MNZ
22 		LEC
Ret 		SPA
6H
45 		SPA
12H
31 		SPA
24H
46† 		NÜR
41 		CAT 25th 9
2024 AF Corse - Francorchamps Motors Ferrari 296 GT3 Pro LEC
17 		SPA
6H
13 		SPA
12H
22 		SPA
24H
Ret 		NÜR
10 		MNZ
 JED
 23th* 1*

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

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Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2021   JMW Motorsport   Jody Fannin
  Rodrigo Sales 		Ferrari 488 GTE Evo GTE
Am 		117 DNF DNF
2023   JMW Motorsport   Giacomo Petrobelli
  Louis Prette 		Ferrari 488 GTE Evo GTE
Am 		89 DNF DNF

References

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  1. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (5 September 2022). "WRT Drivers Secure Silver Cup Title With Round to Spare". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Thomas Neubauer : "Le Mans m'a fait aimer le sport auto"". Endurance-Info (in French). 1 April 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  3. ^ Noor, Tania (28 July 2016). "STRONG FIELD AT LEGENDARY FORMULA 1 VENUE". Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup. Renault Sport. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Trio of Kiwis to battle strong international line-up in TRS". Stuff. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Tech 1 Racing announces its four drivers for 2017". Tech 1 Racing. 6 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  6. ^ Satis, Jérémy (10 January 2018). "Thomas Neubauer poursuit avec Tech 1" (in French). AUTOHebdo. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Nico Bastian et Thomas Neubauer, les sprinters du Team AKKA-ASP". jerome-policand.com. Jérôme Policand. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Nico Bastian et Thomas Neubauer associés chez AKKA-ASP Team en Sprint". Endurance-Info (in French). 8 March 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  9. ^ Keilloh, Graham (5 May 2019). "Nico Bastian and Thomas Neubauer take Blancpain Brands Hatch victory". Autosport. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  10. ^ Goodwin, Graham (8 September 2019). "Orange1 FFF Lamborghini Squad Take World Challenge Europe Title". dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  11. ^ Kilshaw, Jake (17 February 2020). "Tech1 Lexus Confirmed for Panis, Neubauer". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Neubauer shines again to give Tech 1 Racing Lexus second Misano pole". Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  13. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (26 September 2020). "Emil Frey Delivers Zandvoort 1–2 after Penalty Costs WRT". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Thomas Neubauer (Tech 1 Racing) : "J'ai trouvé ma place en GT3"". Endurance-Info (in French). 11 September 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  15. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (25 March 2021). "Walkenhorst Names Pro Lineups for Endurance Cup Return". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Standings Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup Drivers 2021". Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  17. ^ "Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Mugello" (PDF). Ferrari Challenge. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  18. ^ "Full Entry For 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours Confirmed | dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  19. ^ Goodwin, Graham (13 January 2022). "#7 MS7 By WRT Seals Pole At Dubai 24H". dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  20. ^ "First team win for Saudi Arabia at 2022 Hankook 24H DUBAI; third win for Audi". 24H Series. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  21. ^ "WRT Confirm Five-Car Entry For Sprint & Endurance Cups, Rossi Joined By Vervisch & Muller | dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Thomas Neubauer : "Très content d'avoir rejoint WRT"". FranceRacing.fr (in French). 14 May 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  23. ^ "ROFGO BROTHERS REIGN SUPREME IN SPA AND ZANDVOORT". Benjamin R. Goethe. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  24. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2 July 2022). "Weerts, Vanthoor Dominate Opening Race at Misano". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  25. ^ "DOUBLE PODIUM FOR GOETHE IN MISANO". Benjamin R. Goethe. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  26. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (17 September 2022). "Vanthoor, Weerts Clinch Third Sprint Title With Valencia Podium". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  27. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (3 April 2022). "WRT Delivers Audi's First Endurance Cup Win in Two Years". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  28. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (4 June 2022). "Iron Lynx Ferrari Secures Paul Ricard Pole". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  29. ^ Mercier, Laurent (16 September 2022). "Thomas Neubauer (WRT) : « La clé est l'équipage ! »". Endurance-Info (in French). Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  30. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (5 September 2022). "WRT Drivers Secure Silver Cup Title With Round to Spare". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  31. ^ Plümer, Jonas (2 October 2022). "GT World Challenge Europe: WRT siegt im Silver Cup". gt-place.com (in German). Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  32. ^ "Neubauer e Engstler vincono le Finali Mondiali Ferrari". Ferrari (in Italian). 30 October 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  33. ^ Palmet, Bruno (2 December 2022). "Ferrari : la concession du Mans s'agrandit". Ouest-France (in French). Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  34. ^ Plümer, Jonas (1 January 2023). "Anpassungen der FIA-Fahrereinstufungen 2023". GT-Place.com. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  35. ^ Goodwin, Graham (28 February 2023). "Team WRT Confirm Two More BMW M4 GT3s For Sprint & Endurance Cup". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  36. ^ Verge, Pauline (31 March 2019). "Thomas Neubauer: pilote de course pour Ferrari et étudiant à l'EMLV". Le Figaro Etudiant (in French). Retrieved 26 January 2023.
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