Thomas Neubauer (WRT) : "The key is the crew!"

The 23-year-old Thomas Neubauer has been immersed in the world of cars since his childhood. However, he had to wait until the age of 14 to start racing in karting. The Parisian then moved on to single-seaters and Formula Renault Eurocup, a discipline he had to stop due to his morphology. The decision was made, the next step in his career would be in GT. His arrival at AKKA-ASP in the GT World Challenge Europe resulted in an overall victory in his first race at Brands Hatch in 2019, a first for a Silver line up. Once the title was in his pocket, Thomas Neubauer continued in a Lexus at Tech 1 Racing. Then there is the BMW M6 GT3/Walkenhorst Motorsport in 2021.

This year, this is the Audi R8 LMS GT3/WRT on a double GT World Challenge Europe programme. Before that, there was the 24 Hours of Dubai last January with a victory for the French rookie. The team he forms in GTWC Europe with Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Benjamin Goethe works perfectly. The trio won the 24 Hours of Spa in the Silver class before taking the Silver title at Hockenheim. Four races, four podiums, two victories and two poles for the trio in the #30 Audi, who didn't take a single caution for not respecting the track limits at the 24H of Spa. Not many can claim this feat. The Sprint title is no longer possible but Thomas Neubauer and Benjamin Goethe will do everything to finish on a positive note in Valencia.

Thomas, let's first look back at the perfect 24 Hours of Spa...

"For our team, everything went well. Before the start, we knew that we didn't have the best performing car because of an unfavourable BOP. The objective was to concentrate on ourselves, not to make any mistakes, which we managed to do. There was just one contact during the night which made us lose some time. When we attacked in the last six hours, we saw that there was a possibility to make a good result knowing that our strategy was not the same as our direct opponents. The margin was very small and we didn't want any collision or neutralization."

We felt you were very emotional at the finish. Was the end of the race complicated?

"I was emotional and tired. The last two hours were decisive and when you are in the car, everything depends on you. The end of the race was harder mentally than physically. You think a lot, too much... This race is special for everyone and it is the most feared. I have done the 24 Hours of Dubai and the Nürburgring, but this is something else. It's a big thing for me to win this race, even if it's still Silver. So much can happen."

Was your team going for points in the championship or was it going for the win?

"Of course we were thinking about the championship, to get as many points as possible in the 6th and 12th hours."

We can feel that your crew is getting on well together. Is that also a strength?

"The key is the crew. We've found a nice homogeneity, all three of us get along well. Everyone knows what they have to do. We win and lose together. This is also what I like about WRT, which leaves nothing for chance. It's a real team effort."

Does the Audi R8 LMS GT3 suit you well?

"On a personal level, it's not an easy season because I'm struggling with this car, which is difficult to go fast in. Dries (Vanthoor) can do it, but that's Dries. It requires a special kind of driving because before the Audi I drove two much bigger GT3s. I understand it better at the end of the season."

In Spa the trio of the #30 was faultless on the track. Is this also one of the keys to success?

"The three of us were determined throughout the week not to take any penalties. We had to use the limits of the track only if there was a problem. Of course, it was hard to respect at times but it paid off. It allowed us to be reliable and to have a little more comfort. Spa is my greatest victory and I am proud of this victory in Silver, even more so than winning the Dubai 24 Hours overall. I have worked hard to get here."

Are you preparing for 2023?

"I hope to continue in GT at WRT. I really like the team. Every driver wants to drive for a team like WRT. I've always looked at this team with a keen eye since I've been driving in GT. Now I'm here and I don't want to go anywhere else. Before this year I had something special for Sprint races but now I really like Endurance."

WRT is to move to the BMW camp, a brand you know well...

"I like a lot BMW personally and I really enjoyed driving the BMW M6 GT3. I hope to have the opportunity to compete in both championships in 2023 and return to Le Mans, this time in GT3 from 2024."