Linus Stjernelund steps up from karting to the all-electric NXT Gen Cup
15-year-old Linus Stjernelund is going to make his international racing debut in the all-electric NXT Gen Cup season opener at the Norisring this weekend, taking the step up from karting.
"I’m thrilled to join the NXT Gen Cup and especially at an exciting track as the Norisring. It’s obviously a big step for me, but I feel right at home with the NXT Gen Cup and their team of experienced engineers and mechanics," said Linus Stjernelund.
The Swede has raced in Rotax Max Junior Sweden for the past two years, as well as selected endurance races, and is an avid sim racer.
"My NXT Gen Cup debut will primarily be about gathering experience racing a real car, but I’m hopeful that my karting and sim racing skills will translate well into real racing. I have a lot to learn, but I hope that I can be competitive against some of the most experienced NXT Gen Cup racers," said Linus Stjernelund.
Linus Stjernelund continues a key part of NXT Gen Cup core structure as a career ladder for young motorsport talents to enter the world of motorsport.
"It’s great to see another talented karting driver taking the step to NXT Gen Cup and we are glad to welcome Linus to us. Linus has performed well in both sim racing and karting considering his young age and we look forward to working together with him and developing his talents as a racing driver," said Fredrik Lestrup, founder of NXT Gen Cup.
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 of 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.
