Marcel Fässler: Time for new tasks 🎥
MANAGER THAN RACE DRIVER Marcel Fässler ends his active racing career. The three-time Le Mans winner now heads the motorsport department of Sportec and is also an F1 simulator driver for Alfa Romeo Racing. Pictures and scenes of his long career can be seen in the interview (in the lounge of Corvette Racing at Le Mans 2018). At the 24-hour race, he experienced his most emotional moments. Before [...]
Pictures and scenes from his long career can be seen in the interview (in the Corvette Racing lounge at Le Mans 2018). He experienced his most emotional moments at the 24-hour race.
The man from Schwyz turned his first laps in a kart 37 years ago, and last November he ended his internationally successful career with Corvette Racing at Sebring in Florida.
New race director at Sportec...
The soon-to-be 45-year-old from Schwyz will remain involved in racing. With his immense experience, he heads the motorsport department of Sportec. The racing team from Höri aims to gain a foothold in endurance racing one day. Fässler recently tested the brand new KTM GTX in Monza for Sportec, for which the company is the exclusive representative.
... and simulator driver in Hinwil
In addition, the father of four daughters regularly sits down as a development driver in the new Formula 1 simulator at Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN in Hinwil.
Marcel Fässler: "A great task that honors me and I enjoy very much."
TCS courses and TV commentator
As a TCS ambassador, the first Swiss overall winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2011, 2012 and 2014 with Audi) will also continue to run his own TCS sports driving courses. In addition, Fässler contributes his expertise as a TV expert on mySports as a co-commentator for the Formula E races.
Marcel Fässler: "I'm very pleased that the transition from my racing career to a new professional life has gone so smoothly. It's a confirmation of what I've done so far that my experience as a race driver will continue to be in demand."
Winner of a talent scouting
As the son of an amateur racing driver, Fässler got to know the racing world as a boy. Thanks to a determined search for sponsors and good results, he worked his way up the karting ranks until, at the age of 17, he beat off international competition at the legendary Ecole Elf Winfield in France to win the development program.
From Formula 3 to the DTM
His runner-up title in the 1999 German Formula 3 Championship prompted then Mercedes racing director Norbert Haug to bring him into the DTM factory team. He became the first Swiss to win a total of four races in his four years with AMG-Mercedes. The reward was Formula 1 test drives in the McLaren and stints as a GP safety car driver.
Winner at Spa and in the GT Open
After switching to Opel, Fässler ate hard bread in the DTM. Thanks in no small part to his performance in the rain, he gave Phoenix Racing and Corvette overall victory in the 2007 Spa 24 Hours.
He won the International GT Open title in 2009 with a Swiss-managed Ferrari team. His partner was Joël Camathias from Ticino.
Highlights with Audi
When Audi hired him as a factory driver in 2010, this was virtually the start of his second, internationally even more successful career. With the Ingolstadt-based company, he clinched endurance race victories at Le Mans, Spa, Interlagos, Bahrain, Silverstone, Sebring and Austin, as well as several podium places.
Victories with Corvette
In addition to Le Mans, winning the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship and three vice world championship titles were his greatest successes. After Audi's withdrawal from LMP1 (and even before), Fässler clinched group victories at Sebring and Daytona with the Corvette factory team.
Resignation at the right time
The timing for Fässler's retirement from professional racing had been clear for some time. He didn't want to be perceived as a pilot who had missed the jump. At the same time, he wanted to be early enough to enter the second half of his professional life.
As it seems, once again very successful. His look back is one of satisfaction.
Marcel Fässler: "As a boy, I had this big dream of becoming a successful racing driver. The fact that I took this path in my own way, with honest and hard work, with perseverance and belief in my passion, and that I made it to the top of the world with my performances, makes me proud. I gave it my all and achieved more than I ever dreamed possible."
Thank you - also from us!
It also speaks for his character that he does not forget his companions.
Marcel Fässler: "My great thanks go to all the many people who have always believed in me and supported me in many ways and with great commitment on my way to the top."
We would also like to thank him for the many good conversations and the material that resulted in some stories worth reading!
