2025 Highlights in Sports Car Racing: Rising Stars and Key Competitors
In 2025, the sports car racing scene showcased a wealth of emerging talent across various championships, particularly within the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and related competitions. The depth of young drivers making an impact this year sets promising precedents for the coming seasons.
Dominance in ELMS
The ELMS LMP3 category witnessed standout performances from Adrien Closmenil and Theodor Jensen of CLX Motorsport, who claimed five out of six race victories to secure the championship. Their ascension to LMP2 in 2026 is highly anticipated.
Impressive LMP2 Performances
Alex Quinn continued to prove his mettle, competing fiercely in the LMP2 Pro/Am class while racing for Algarve Pro Racing. His performance has earned him a development role within Peugeot’s Hypercar team for 2026. Meanwhile, Oliver Gray secured the ELMS LMP2 championship with VDS Panis Racing, showcasing marked improvement in his confidence and speed alongside teammates Charles Milesi and Esteban Masson.
GT3 Talents Shine Globally
In GT3 racing, Loek Hartog emerged as a formidable competitor, winning the Porsche Cup as the leading independent driver. From FIA WEC, Ben Tuck drove impressively for Proton Competition and also excelled in World Challenge Europe. Finn Gehrsitz of AKKODIS ASP also exhibited promise with multiple strong performances. Additionally, Rikuto Kobayashi, competing in SUPER GT GT300, attracted attention with his performances in the Ferrari 296 GT3.
American Breakthroughs
In the United States, Fred Vesti demonstrated his capability in the Whelen Cadillac, contributing significantly to the team’s triumph at Petit Le Mans. In lower-tier competition, Robert Noaker dominated the Mustang Challenge, winning all 12 races and establishing a flawless racing record. In the Michelin Pilot Challenge, Luca Mars captured the GS title, backed by multiple wins.
DSC’s 2025 Rising Star of the Year: Mathys Jaubert
Among the year’s top performers, Mathys Jaubert of IDEC Sport stood out as the Dailysportscar Rising Star of the Year. The 20-year-old Frenchman impressed in pre-season testing, securing a spot in the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Programme. Throughout the ELMS season, Jaubert played a pivotal role in his team’s championship bid, contributing to three victories amid a challenging year marked by a bout of meningitis.
With his blend of talent, composure, and newfound factory Hypercar commitment, Jaubert represents the future of competitive motorsport, and his trajectory is one that fans and competitors alike will closely monitor moving forward.
