Laurenz Rühl set for electric debut in NXT Gen Cup

17-year-old German racer Laurenz Rühl is set for his electric debut as he enters the 2024 season of the 100% electric NXT Gen Cup.

"I'm really excited ahead of my NXT Gen Cup debut, it's an innovative electric junior championship which feels just right for me and where I am at the start of my motorsport career,” said Laurenz Rühl.

Laurenz Rühl's interest in motorsport started in the digital world and he made his racing debut in the Dutch Mazda MX-5 Cup last year, finishing sixth in the junior category.

"For me it all started when I stole my brother's Playstation wheel at night and raced until the mornings. My father had fallen into a coma two years ago and during those six months, I took my racing license and my first proper race was the day he woke up," said Laurenz Rühl.

"After my first real racing season last year, I'm ready for my next big step forward in NXT Gen Cup. I've never raced electric cars and I lack the experience of some of my competitors. But my ambition is nonetheless set high as I want to fight for the title to put my name out there and build my motorsport career."

The German junior will join the NXT Gen Cup field in the 2024 season opener at the legendary Norisring circuit together with the DTM on July 5-7.

"We are glad to welcome Laurenz to the NXT Gen Cup family and provide him with a solid platform to evolve as the young racing talent that he is. He made a strong season last year considering that he had no previous experience and it will be interesting to follow his progress this year," said Fredrik Lestrup, NXT Gen Cup founder.

NXT Gen Cup, the world’s first electric junior touring car cup, will race together with the DTM, Europe’s premier and best-known racing series, this year for 12 intense races across four race weekends from July to October.

Are you interested in joining the NXT Gen Cup? Learn more here.

About NXT Gen Cup
The NXT Gen Cup is the world’s first 100% electric junior touring car cup where young female and male drivers race the LRT NXT1, a fully electric race car based on the MINI Cooper SE road car - engineered and built by Lestrup Racing Team. The series races together with DTM and is organised through an “arrive and drive” concept, enabling the junior drivers to focus on driving and creating the foundation for a professional racing career. 

About DTM
DTM is Europe’s premier and best-known racing series and is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2024. As one the most competitive racing series, DTM features seven prestigious brands in its anniversary season. The DTM has a German core, but a strong international fan base. Races are broadcasted live in 150 territories. The series is also a leader in sustainable motorsport. For the second season, all cars are powered by a sustainable fuel made of 50% renewable components. Not only the cars racing in DTM are in the center of sustainable project. For the events itself the ADAC as promoter of the DTM offers innovations like an initiative to reduce plastic waste and a digital carpool solution, which has been recognised and awarded by the FIA.