Laura Luft: From Self-Funded Racer to Nürburgring Podium Contender
Starting her racing journey at 24 and funding it herself, Laura Luft has broken barriers in a male-dominated sport, achieving memorable podiums at the Nürburgring and in sprint races, inspiring young drivers, and showing that with passion, focus, and determination, results matter above all.
Can you introduce yourself and your career in motorsport?
Hi, my name is Laura Luft and my journey in motorsport started with the age of 10 where I watched all races on television like F1, Nascar, IRL etc. From those moments on I knew that I wanted to become a race car driver. With no family connection into motorsport at all, I then started my way finally with my own money after finishing my studies with the age of 24. I thought like everyone else that I should start with karting. So I did and from karting I financed my way up to my ultimate goal of driving one day the 24h at the Nürburgring.
What initially ignited your passion for racing, and how did you first get behind the wheel competitively?
When I watched it on television the speed, the precision, the passion and the adrenaline rush got me when I saw the drivers and the way they fought through the field. This got me hooked up as well as the sound of the cars. As said before, as my family had no connection to motorsport and thought that it is too dangerous to start, I had to make my own way with my own budget and as everyone back in the day went karting this is how I started. I wanted to first race some international 24h karting races as well before getting the thrill to drive this in a race car finally myself on the legendary Nordschleife
As a female driver in a predominantly male sport, what specific challenges have you encountered on track or in the paddock? And conversely, have there been particular opportunities that arose from being a woman in this field?
At my first karting race I was asked if my boyfriend or so would join as all the males around me where quite making a joke about it as I started my first 1h karting indoor race with only having spend 10 min testing at all beforehand. I said to myself when I finish this 1h karting race not in last place I will continue so at the end of the day I was not last in the race and from there on earned my respect. After just a couple of indoor races one owner of a karting track saw my potential and offered a sponsorship with two other team mates to drive one year an outdoor season for him. So during those next years I got some more support from my mainly male colleagues as we had just basically no or just one other female in our ranks. It is funny that everyone thinks that women get an extra bonus because we are females and are pampered etc. But the contrary is the case still nowadays even if we have grown so much and more females out there are role models. Yes maybe as a female you can get a fashion brand to sponsor you but other than that we still have to earn our space by results as under the helmet we are all the same: drivers no matter what gender!
Racing involves immense pressure. How do you manage the adrenaline, the stress of competition, and the pressure to perform, especially during qualifying or a race?
It is funny as we often get asked that but I found my own rhythm. 10 mins before qualifying or the race start I put on my helmet to signal everyone around me that I am now in my zone. I try to control my adrenaline by using calming breathing techniques. When I am then in the car I am fully sharp and my energy centers around the tasks I have to do. My pulse is back to normal and I can focus on finding the right spot on track in qualifying to make use of my limited time to perform a good lap. When the race starts of course when the lights go out your heartbeat goes up again but with this adrenaline you can describe this as ultra focus where you just be in that moment without any other thoughts than pushing for the win or gaining positions if you start further back. I don’t feel stressed in those moments. I feel just pure joy as this is what I live for and those moments of happiness cannot be taken from you. It is truly special to race cars and this is where my passion sparks.
What advice would you give to young girls or anyone aspiring to a career as a driver in motorsport?
Starting at a younger age than myself of course is beneficial as you have just more time to reach the top sport and learn faster. But I always say age does not really matter, you just have to give it all and really want it. I am often approached by young girls or others and explain them what sacrifices you have to bring to progress. Most of them don’t want it enough, to fully commit not having vacations but working or using your budget for anything related to racing. If you really want to achieve something this is hard work, sweat and tears and the way is not easy and takes several years, but is worth it! Just start and then try to find your own way into the sport. The ones who have made it are happily there to give you the first advices and guiding steps but the actions need to come from yourself to have the durability to push through.
Beyond pure speed, what are the most crucial skills for a racing driver to possess?
You have to be fearless and not overthink too much. You need to feel the car and listen to what it tells you like tire management, using the engine, feeling the corners and where you can push more or not. You try to be one with the car and this is when you can focus on the race opponents around you to fight against. Ultimately, it also comes down to your sharpness and reflexes in the car to make decisions in split seconds when it counts.
What has been your most memorable moment or your greatest source of pride behind the wheel so far in your career?
Definitely my P3 in class directly in my first ever 24h race on the Nordschleife. This was amazing to take the trophy back home. But I also recently raced my first ever sprint races in a new car I had never driven in before, the Porsche GT3 Cup car. And here as well in my first two sprint races with experienced drivers around me I could also finish two times on P3 immediately. So this was such a great feeling as well to be responsible to bring the car in this position myself and not sharing it with team mates. However, two different race formats but with my amazing teams I have behind me both of those moments where special to me. When I look back to my karting days, winning the 24h in Italy with my team was also great given the Italian party afterwards and the passion during this race. And I also enjoyed very much karting in Dubai and Mallorca. Also we did the 77h and 99h world record karting races and this was just a great and fun week with lots of great battles.
What drives and motivates you to push your limits and continue competing in such a demanding and competitive sport?
I love racing and the competition. I know why I work so hard for and sacrifice a lot to live the moment when I am alone in the race car and feel the adrenaline rush. This gives me so much energy and joy that even when I step out of the car I annoy my team mates around me with my biiiig smiles and enthusiasm :-) When I then also have the chance to fight for the win or podium this is the ultimate cherry on the top. Pure happiness.
The relationship between a driver and their team is vital. How do you foster that collaboration, and how do you work together to optimize performance on track?
My two teams, Adrenalin Motorsport (7x NLS champion in a row), where I race with in NLS and the 24h are such a fun and enjoyable crowd of people I know over several years now and I truly trust their expertise to setup the car to our liking. My second team, Albert Motorsport, where I raced the two sprint races in the Porsche GT3 Cup with, I had not know before I sat in the car. This crew is also very special as truly passionate, calm, professional and heartwarming. Was amazing to work with them together as they also listened to my feedback and we together changed the setup of the car so that I could perform in the end. In motorsport in general I think it is about mutual respect for each other and spending the time with the team as much as you can as in the end it is a true team sport as without the mechanics, crew chiefs, tire engineers, team managers and all people working behind the scenes race car drivers cannot race. So this is your family on the race weekend and you treat them and interact in that way.
Have you had mentors or inspiring figures who have marked your path as a driver? Do you see yourself as a role model for aspiring drivers, particularly young women?
I never really had like a role model as back in the days when I started basically most drivers where males and competing in the top sport which was so far away from my tiny little races I did. So I tried never to copy anyone but just do my best and follow my path. Also with my limited budget I knew that I would not be able to reach their level of racing. Nowadays, it is so heartwarming to see that some female and males see me as a role model whereas I don’t technically see myself as such. I just try to always be available for anyone who has questions about of how to enter into the sport and I think that this is normal that we race car drivers try to help each other out. But happy that I can inspire especially young girls to try and get into the sport. Never give up girls, just push!
Describe a typical week in your life during the racing season. What does your training and your preparation for a race weekend involve?
As a full-time event manager as my day job and several side jobs being a moderator for motorsport events and race commentator for SimRacing and real racing I have very limited time to train. Going to the gym is of course in the evenings on the agenda but basically before a race, I try to find as much time as I can get to sit in my simulator at home and drive laps, practice race starts and overtaking with changing weather conditions.
How would you describe the evolution of your driving style or your approach to racing since you first started competing?
Oh yes that has changed a lot. In the beginning you are a bit overwhelmed with all the things around you like radio comms, the rules and regulations to remember, the sometimes on purpose „mean“ driving styles of others to push you out which you in the first place did not get. On the track nobody is your friend even if you are in the paddock, so you need to develop the ruthlessness on track. I luckily could do that quite quickly in karting as it hurts to be pushed around so you need to push back haha. But I have a very clean and round driving style which I could adapt although I started with indoor karting where you need a different technique. However, over the years I of course became better in tire management, reading the race, anticipating what could happen and develop my race lines in dry and wet conditions. With luckily the fact that I could start with SimRacing in 2018 this became my training ground for developing even further and faster as of course I did not had any testing neither in karting nor racing. I always had to arrive to the track prepared.
If you could change one thing in motorsport to make it even better for future generations of drivers, what would it be and why?
Making it more affordable haha. But budget is the main driver and also killer these days as the sport will not get cheaper. Sponsorships are hard to get and there is also very limited support from transitions from karting to racing as the gap is so big and many think they just follow the single seater route then which is nearly impossible these days if you don’t have millions to spend. So technically most talented drivers end up in GT racing which is not bad but then leave even less space for the ones who are good but don’t have that amount of money. I don’t have the concept of bridging this increasing gab but I hope that further young drivers will get seen and receive the right support to make it to the top.