Gerhard Watzinger

has raced a variety of cars in multiples series worldwide for many years. He competed on national and international level, in IMSA DP-02, Radical prototypes, Formula Ford, LMP3, Wolf GB08, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, and Lamborghini GT3.

He this currently competing in 24hr endurance and sprint races around the world.

22

RACE WINS

100+

PODIUMS

1

CHAMPIONSHIP

12

COUNTRIES RACED IN

BRONZE

FIA DRIVER RATING

Background

In his first year of racing, he won the Rookie of the Year Award and broke the lap record on a private racetrack in Nevada driving a Radical SR3. Since then, he’s competed in FIA, IMSA, ACO, SCCA, SRO, Creventic, NASA and NARRA sanctioned races.

In 2013, Watzinger sealed his title as the US Champion in the Radical SR8 Prototype Series at Monticello, NY. With two back-to-back victories, he ensured a ride in the Radical Cup Euroseries in Spa Franchorchamps, Belgium in 2014.

As the outright champion for collecting the most points of any driver in either class, he also won a ride in the Le Mans prototype car. In 2014, Watzinger received his FIA pro license as a bronze rated driver and, a few years later, he finally drove in the Road to Le Mans race in a LMP3 prototype. Another highlight are his two wins at the famous Spa racetrack.

Connect with Gerhard

Career Highlights

F1 Drive (2022)

Sometimes dreams come true. I recently had the opportunity to drive Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 W12. Arguably one of best F1 cars ever developed. It started with intensive simulator training at the factory. The secretive Simulator 6, that very few people have seen and even fewer have used. We then moved to Circuit of the America’s in Austin where Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff joined us. Lewis spent a day coaching us on how to drive a F1 car around the track. The total experience was just mind blowing! Everything you heard about a F1 car is true x 10. Mercedes, Toto, Lewis, and their folks back at factory are a WORLD CLASS organization. THANK YOU!

F1 Test Drive
Gerhard Watzinger and George Kurts drive F1 Mercedes 2023

F1 Drive (2023)

In 2023, we had another opportunity to drive Lewis Hamilton’s W12 car. This time, George Russell, Esteban Gutierrez, and Mick Schumacher were our coaches. We chose the legendary Silverstone circuit for our two-day run. Like last time, we did some intensive simulator training at the Mercedes factory. A combined total of 228 laps, before we headed out to the track. It was another epic event, and the entire Mercedes team did a fantastic job, again. THANK YOU!

F1 Drive (2024)

In November 2024, we had another unforgettable experience with the Mercedes AMG F1 Team. This time, we drove the W13 (model for 2022) at the spectacular Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The new F1 driver Kimi Antonelli as well as Anthony Davidson have been our coaches supported by the legendary Peter Bonnington as the trackside engineer. George and I did a combined total of 82 laps at Yas Marina. This time, the team allowed us to use DRS which was another highlight of this event. Again, a HUGE thank you to Mercedes AMG F1.

Watzinger racing F1
Gerhard Watzinger Mercedes F1 2024
Gerhard Watzinger F1 Drive 2025

F1 Drive (2025)

Circuit Paul Ricard, France
In 2025, we had the privilege to drive Mercedes AMG F1’s fastest car that they have ever build … the W11. Yes, that is the legendary car in which Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix, on the last lap on 3 wheels when the front left tire disintegrated. We had Valtteri Bottas as our coach and while F1 driver Kimi Antonelli was testing on the same day, he also gave us one or two tips. Two highlights from the weekend were the DRS enabled top speed on the front straight (337kph) with braking at 80m into turn 1, and our first drive on wet tires on a wet track. Needless to say, we were extra careful to bring back this legendary car in one piece. Again, a HUGE thank you to Mercedes AMG F1 for a wonderful event in France.

2025 Schedule

January 11

April 13

June 1

June 28

August 31

October 12

November 7

24hrs of Dubai, UAE

Paul Ricard, France

Monza, Italy

Spa, Belgium

Nurburgring, Germany

Barcelona, Spain

Misano, Italy

Tracks Driven AROUND THE WORLD