René Rast Bio
René Rast (born 26 October 1986) is a German professional racing driver widely recognized for his success in sports car racing and touring car competition. He is a three-time Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) champion, having secured the title in 2017, 2019, and 2020, and has also claimed prestigious endurance victories at the 24 Hours of Spa, 24 Hours of Daytona, and 24 Hours of Nürburgring. After competing in Formula E with the McLaren Formula E Team, Rast has returned to his GT racing roots, where he continues to add to a varied and decorated motorsport résumé.
Born in Minden, West Germany, Rast built his career through a structured progression from karting into single-seaters, sports cars, and top-level touring cars. His adaptability across disciplines has made him one of the most respected German drivers of his generation.
Early Life and Background
René Rast was born on 26 October 1986 in Minden, in what was then West Germany. From a young age, he developed a strong interest in motorsport, an enthusiasm common among many drivers who later rose through the ranks of European racing.
He began his competitive career in karting, where he learned race craft and car control. As he progressed, Rast moved into junior single-seater categories, including Formula BMW, which provided him with a foundation in open-wheel racing and a clearer path toward professional opportunities.
Path to NASCAR
Although René Rast is not known for a traditional NASCAR career, his professional path follows a familiar ladder for international drivers. He progressed from karting to Formula BMW, then to one-make series such as the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup, which he won in 2005. A year later, he finished as runner-up in the Seat León Supercopa Germany, results that opened the door to sports car racing.
From 2007 onward, Rast concentrated on Porsche competition and GT racing rather than pursuing open-wheel or stock car paths. His transition into endurance and GT categories marked the beginning of his most successful chapter, eventually leading him to DTM and, briefly, Formula E.
René Rast Career
Early Career (2005–2010)
Rast’s early professional career was defined by rapid advancement through Volkswagen and Porsche junior programs. He captured the 2005 ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup title, then placed second in the 2006 Seat León Supercopa Germany. In 2007, he moved into sports car racing and won the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in 2008, laying the groundwork for a long association with the Porsche marque.
By 2010, Rast had expanded his résumé to include the ADAC GT Masters, where he raced from 2010 to 2014. He also won the Porsche Supercup during this period, adding three major championships between 2010 and 2012 that established him as one of the most consistent GT drivers in Europe.
Porsche and GT Breakthrough (2011–2015)
Rast’s breakthrough on the international stage came through endurance racing. He debuted at the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring with Paul Miller Racing in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. The following year, he won the GT class at the 2012 24 Hours of Daytona, driving a Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup alongside Andy Lally, Richard Lietz, and team owner John Potter.
In 2012 and 2014, Rast won the 24 Hours of Spa, first with Phoenix Racing and later with the factory-supported WRT squad, both in an Audi R8 LMS. He also added a 2014 24 Hours of Nürburgring overall win, results that firmly placed him among the top endurance drivers in the world. During this period, he also claimed a win in the 2013 FIA GT Series and added further podiums in the 2014 Blancpain Sprint Series.
Endurance and DTM Breakthrough (2014–2016)
Rast made his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in 2014, finishing fourth in the LMP2 class with Sébastien Loeb Racing. In 2015, he joined Audi’s factory endurance program, finishing fourth overall at the 6 Hours of Spa and seventh at Le Mans in an R18 e-tron quattro. The following year, he raced full-time in the FIA World Endurance Championship with G-Drive Racing, winning in Bahrain and finishing second at Le Mans in LMP2.
Parallel to his endurance program, Rast entered the DTM in 2016, debuting with Team Rosberg in an Audi RS5. He immediately showed pace, finishing sixth in his first race at Hockenheim, setting the stage for his championship breakthrough the following season.
DTM Championship Era (2017–2020)
In 2017, Rast won the DTM title in his first full season with Team Rosberg, establishing himself as a leading Audi driver. The following year, he recorded six consecutive race victories, a record-breaking streak, yet missed a second title by only four points. He rebounded in dominant fashion, winning the 2019 DTM Championship and then securing his third title in 2020, becoming one of the most successful DTM drivers of the modern era.
Formula E Era (2019–2023)
Rast first appeared in Formula E at the 2016 Berlin ePrix as a replacement driver for Team Aguri. He returned to the series for the final six rounds of the 2019–20 season, substituting for Daniel Abt at Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, and scored a podium in Berlin. He then became a permanent Audi driver for the 2020–21 Formula E Championship, partnering Lucas di Grassi.
After sitting out the 2021–22 season, Rast joined the McLaren Formula E Team for the 2022–23 campaign. He scored a single podium and ended 13th in the standings, then announced his departure from the series at season’s end.
Schubert Motorsport Era (2024–Present)
Rast returned to GT racing with Schubert Motorsport, where he currently competes driving the No. 33 car. His move back to familiar territory in the GT World Challenge Europe has produced strong results, leveraging the experience gained across more than a decade of factory-level endurance and touring car competition.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rast is widely regarded as one of the most consistent and methodical drivers in the paddock. He excels in long-distance endurance events, where tire management and stint discipline are critical, and he has repeatedly delivered under pressure in wheel-to-wheel touring car battles. His smooth driving style has made him especially effective on technical circuits and in changing weather conditions, and he is known for his strong partnership with engineering and strategy staff.
Notable Races and Milestones
Signature results include his 2012 and 2014 24 Hours of Spa wins, his 2012 24 Hours of Daytona GT class victory, and three DTM titles in 2017, 2019, and 2020. He also reached the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2 and recorded a record-setting six consecutive DTM victories in 2018.
René Rast Career Wins
René Rast has built a versatile record of victories across multiple disciplines. His most prominent wins include the 24 Hours of Spa in 2012 and 2014, the 24 Hours of Daytona GT class in 2012, and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring overall in 2014. He is also a three-time DTM champion.
DTM Highlights
Rast claimed three DTM championships in 2017, 2019, and 2020, the first with Team Rosberg and the latter two with Team Abt. His 2017 title came in his rookie full season, while his 2019 and 2020 crowns cemented his place among the DTM’s most successful modern drivers.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond DTM, Rast won the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in 2008 and 2012, the Porsche Supercup, the ADAC GT Masters title in 2014, and the 2005 ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup. He also added victories in the FIA GT Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 class at Bahrain in 2016.
René Rast Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rast grew up in Minden, West Germany, and developed his early interest in motorsport within his local community. Public details about his broader family and racing lineage are limited.
Personal Life
René Rast is a German national. Information about his marital status, spouse, and children is not publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, René Rast continues his role with Schubert Motorsport in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. The team has been a consistent front-runner in the championship, and Rast’s experience is expected to play a central role in their title ambitions.
His partnership with established co-drivers and a proven engineering group provides a stable platform for the season. With the endurance calendar featuring long-format events and varied track types, Rast’s record in managing multi-class traffic and stint length will be a key asset.
As the season unfolds, Rast is positioned among the championship contenders, with his primary goal centered on contending for race wins and a strong overall classification rather than a return to single-seater competition.