Fabio Leimer
Fabio Leimer (born 17 April 1989) is a Swiss former professional racing driver best known for securing the 2013 GP2 Series championship and serving as reserve driver for the Manor Marussia Formula One Team in 2015.[1][2][3] Leimer began his racing career in karting in 2003, winning the Swiss Junior Championship that year at age 14.[1] He transitioned to single-seater racing in 2006, competing in Formula BMW and Formula Renault series, where he achieved podium finishes and consistent points-scoring results.[4] In 2008, he entered the International Formula Master series with Jenzer Motorsport, finishing as runner-up, before claiming the championship title in 2009 with seven race victories, including a dominant win at the season finale in Oschersleben.[5][6] Leimer's breakthrough came in the GP2 Series, where he raced from 2010 to 2013; after challenging seasons with teams like Ocean Racing Technology and Trident, he joined Racing Engineering for 2013 and delivered a string of strong performances, including two early-season wins and a fourth-place finish in Abu Dhabi that clinched the drivers' title by 20 points over Sam Bird.[2][7] Unable to secure a full-time Formula One seat despite testing with Pirelli and Lotus, he instead joined Rebellion Racing for the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship, competing in the LMP1 class at events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though results were limited by retirements and low points finishes.[8][9] In 2015, Leimer signed with Manor Marussia as official reserve and development driver, participating in the FP1 session at the Hungarian Grand Prix, while also making guest appearances in Formula E with Virgin Racing.[3][10] Following Manor's financial struggles, he shifted to customer racing, debuting in the Ferrari Challenge Europe in 2016 with AF Corse, where he competed over two seasons.[11] Leimer retired from professional racing following the 2017 season.[12]Career
Karting
Fabio Leimer was born on April 17, 1989, in Rothrist, Switzerland.[12] Leimer entered motorsport through karting in 2003 at the age of 14, securing victory in the Swiss Junior Karting Championship that debut season.[4][1] The following year, he finished as runner-up in the Swiss Junior Championship while also claiming first place in the Dream Kart Cup ICA Junior category.[12][13][14] In 2005, Leimer competed internationally by entering the European Championship and raced domestically in the Italian Open Masters ICA series, where he ended the season 21st overall.[12][15] He continued his national success in 2006 by placing second in the Swiss Championship ICA class.[12][16] Leimer's early karting efforts included participation in the 2003 European Championship Western Region Qualification in ICA Junior, finishing 13th.[12] These domestic and regional results laid the groundwork for his move to single-seater racing in Formula BMW later that year.[4]Formula BMW
Fabio Leimer transitioned from karting to single-seater racing by entering the 2006 Formula BMW ADAC championship, driving for Team Rosberg.[12] This marked his debut in open-wheel cars on international circuits, providing early exposure to competitive formula racing in Germany. During the 2006 season, Leimer competed in 18 races, scoring 4 points and finishing 18th in the overall drivers' standings.[17] He showed steady adaptation, with finishes including 14th at Oschersleben and 15th in the season finale at Hockenheim, though no podiums were achieved.[18] Midway through the year, Leimer switched teams to Matson Motorsport for the remaining rounds, continuing under the guidance of experienced outfit led by former Formula 1 driver Keke Rosberg in his initial stint.[17] The series presented key challenges for the young driver, including mastering the handling of the rear-wheel-drive Mygale FB02 chassis powered by a BMW engine and adjusting to endurance demands of feature races lasting up to 30 minutes, a significant shift from the shorter karting sprints. Despite the learning curve, Leimer's participation built foundational skills that paved the way for his progression to the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup the following year.[12]Formula Renault
Leimer made his debut in open-wheel racing beyond Formula BMW by entering the 2007 Formula Renault 2.0 Italia and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championships with the Swiss team Jenzer Motorsport.[4] This move provided him with structured support in competitive European fields, allowing him to adapt to the 2.0-liter Renault engines and Tatuus chassis used in the series.[12] In the Formula Renault 2.0 Italia season, Leimer competed in all 14 races, scoring points in 11 of them and securing two podium finishes at the international rounds of Spa-Francorchamps and Valencia to end the year 11th in the overall standings.[4] These results demonstrated his growing consistency on varied circuits, including high-speed tracks like Spa where he adapted well to wet conditions during the event. His performances highlighted effective tire management and race craft, key skills for progressing in Renault-backed formulas.[12] Simultaneously, Leimer tackled the more intense Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, facing top junior talents across 14 rounds in Europe. He achieved a best finish of fifth place at Magny-Cours, but challenges with qualifying and reliability limited him to 17th overall in the championship.[4] Despite the modest outcome, the exposure to international competition sharpened his strategic approach, setting the foundation for his step up to the International Formula Master series with the same team in 2008.[4]International Formula Master
In 2008, Leimer entered the International Formula Master series with Jenzer Motorsport, finishing as runner-up in the championship.[4] In 2009, at the age of 20, Fabio Leimer achieved his first full-season championship in open-wheel racing by dominating the International Formula Master series with Swiss team Jenzer Motorsport. Driving the spec Tatuus N.T07 chassis powered by a 2.0-liter Honda K20A naturally aspirated engine producing approximately 250 horsepower, Leimer secured seven victories across the season's 16 races, accumulating 106 points to clinch the drivers' title ahead of Sergei Afanasiev by 38 points.[19][12][20] The series, which served as a support category to the World Touring Car Championship across eight European double-header events, emphasized competitive parity with identical cars and featured longer race formats—typically 30 minutes plus one lap for the first race and 20 minutes plus one lap for the second—to build driver stamina akin to higher-level endurance elements in open-wheel racing. Leimer's campaign began strongly with a win in the opening race at Pau, followed by further triumphs in Valencia's second race, both races at Brno, Brands Hatch's first race, and Spa-Francorchamps' opener, where he extended his lead with a commanding performance in front of the Formula 1 support crowd.[21][22][23] Leimer sealed the championship with his seventh victory in the first race at Oschersleben, marking a record for the series and underscoring his consistency with five pole positions and multiple podiums. This breakthrough success, in a field of 23 drivers from 10 teams, highlighted Leimer as a rising talent and directly earned him a prize test with GP2 team DAMS, paving the way for his progression to the series in 2010.[6][24]GP2 Series
Leimer made his debut in the GP2 Series in 2010 with the Ocean Racing Technology team, where he quickly showed promise by winning the sprint race at the season-opening Barcelona round from reverse pole position, marking his first podium in the category. Despite this highlight, the season served as a steep learning curve amid competitive fields and mechanical challenges, resulting in a 19th-place finish in the drivers' standings with 11 points from 20 races. Leimer also competed in the concurrent 2010–11 GP2 Asia Series with the same team, achieving a stronger fifth overall with consistent top-ten finishes, including a podium at Imola.[25] In 2011, Leimer joined the defending champions Rapax team for the main series, improving his results but struggling with consistency, as evidenced by several retirements and non-scoring finishes, to end 14th in the standings with 26 points. He participated in the 2011–12 GP2 Asia Series with Rapax as well, finishing eighth overall. A highlight came in the non-championship GP2 Final at Abu Dhabi, where he drove for Racing Engineering and dominated the feature race from pole to secure victory, finishing 34 seconds ahead of second place.[26] Leimer switched to Racing Engineering for the 2012 season, benefiting from the team's strong setup to post career-best results, including three wins—at the Bahrain sprint race, Hockenheim feature race, and Monza sprint race—along with multiple podiums, culminating in seventh place overall with 152 points from 24 races. He integrated participation in the 2011–12 GP2 Asia Series finale, contributing to his development. However, pre-2013 campaigns were hampered by inconsistency, such as mid-season slumps and reliability issues that limited point hauls despite evident pace.[27] The 2013 season marked Leimer's breakthrough, as he clinched the GP2 championship in his fourth year with Racing Engineering through exceptional consistency, scoring 201 points to finish 20 ahead of runner-up Sam Bird. Key victories included feature race wins at Sepang and Bahrain, plus a sprint triumph at Monza, alongside seven podiums that underscored his maturity in wheel-to-wheel combat. Supported by significant self-funding from a primary sponsor who invested over €15 million across his career, Leimer's title run overcame prior financial and performance hurdles, paving the way for a reserve role at Sauber in Formula One.[28][29][30]Formula One
Fabio Leimer's involvement in Formula One was limited to testing and reserve duties, stemming from his success in junior categories but hampered by financial constraints. His first experience with an F1 car came during the 2011 Young Driver Test at Yas Marina, where he drove for Sauber in the C30, completing multiple laps to gain initial exposure to the series.[31] As the 2013 GP2 champion, Leimer earned a prize test with Lotus arranged by Pirelli, driving the 2012-spec E20 car at Paul Ricard in May 2014. During the two-day session, he completed 78 laps covering approximately 300 kilometers, focusing on tire evaluation and adapting to F1 machinery, marking his return to an F1 cockpit after the 2011 test.[32][8] In 2015, Leimer secured a reserve driver role with the Manor Marussia team, which allowed him to participate in selected sessions. His only official practice outing was in FP1 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he finished 19th with a best lap of 1:30.631, providing valuable data for the team despite the car's limitations.[33][34] Despite his GP2 title, Leimer never secured a full race seat, primarily due to insufficient sponsorship funding; estimates suggested a low single-digit million euros were needed for a Manor drive, which proved unattainable.[35][36] He remains one of the few GP2 champions, alongside Davide Valsecchi, without a Formula One race start, highlighting the financial barriers in the sport.[37] This unfulfilled aspiration prompted his shift toward endurance racing thereafter.[38]Super Formula
In early 2015, following his GP2 Series championship victory in 2013, Fabio Leimer sought to expand his international profile by entering Japan's Super Formula championship, a high-downforce open-wheel series known for its technical demands and competitive field. He signed with Team Mugen to drive the Dallara SF14 chassis powered by a Honda RU14E 2.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, marking his first foray into Asian single-seater racing beyond European formulas. The announcement highlighted Leimer's experience as a fit for the series' emphasis on precision handling and overtaking on circuits like Suzuka and Fuji Speedway.[39] However, Leimer's tenure with Team Mugen proved short-lived, as the partnership dissolved before the season opener due to unresolved funding constraints, a common challenge for international drivers entering the cost-intensive Japanese series. This pre-season split prevented any competitive outings, limiting his adaptation to the SF14's aerodynamics and the series' unique tire compounds and traffic dynamics, which he had anticipated testing during official sessions. Despite the abrupt end, the brief association offered Leimer valuable exposure to Honda's engineering ecosystem and potential pathways in Asian motorsport.[40] The failed Super Formula bid coincided with Leimer's parallel commitments in endurance racing, where he balanced single-seater aspirations with longer-format events. Ultimately, the funding shortfall underscored the financial barriers that redirected his career toward reserve roles in Formula One with Manor and subsequent opportunities in electric and prototype series.[10]Formula E
In 2014, Fabio Leimer took part in the pre-season testing for the inaugural FIA Formula E Championship with the Amlin Aguri team at Donington Park in the United Kingdom.[41] He drove over multiple days of the session, specifically days 2 through 4, contributing to the team's evaluation of the new electric racing format. Leimer piloted the Spark-Renault SRT_01E, the standardized chassis and powertrain used across all teams in Formula E's debut season, allowing him to familiarize himself with the series' unique demands. The testing emphasized adapting to electric propulsion, particularly energy and battery management, which emerged as a critical aspect of performance in the single-seater series.[42] His role was exclusively as a test driver, providing feedback on setup and handling without entering any championship races.[41] In 2015, Leimer made guest appearances for Virgin Racing Formula E Team, replacing Jaime Alguersuari for the final two rounds at the London ePrix. He competed in both races at Battersea Park, achieving a podium finish of third place in the first race.[43] This brief foray into Formula E represented an exploratory step for Leimer amid his transitions within open-wheel racing, highlighting his versatility before a shift toward endurance competitions.[44]FIA World Endurance Championship
Fabio Leimer made his debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2014, joining the Swiss-based privateer team Rebellion Racing in the LMP1-L class. Following a successful test at the pre-season Prologue at Circuit Paul Ricard, where he impressed team management with his adaptation to prototype racing, Leimer was confirmed as a driver for the #13 Rebellion R-One, a Lola B12/60 chassis powered by a Toyota V8 engine. He partnered with Italian veteran Andrea Belicchi and Austrian Dominik Kraihamer, forming a multinational lineup aimed at challenging the manufacturer teams in the non-hybrid privateer category.[45][46] The 2014 season presented significant challenges for Rebellion as a privateer outfit, competing against hybrid-powered factory entries from Audi, Porsche, and Toyota while navigating reliability issues with the customer-specification car. Leimer contested all six rounds, starting with retirements due to mechanical failures at Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, Le Mans, and Circuit of the Americas, which highlighted the steep learning curve in endurance racing's demanding format. Progress came in the latter half of the season; at Fuji Speedway, the #13 trio secured their first LMP1-L class victory, finishing 11th overall after a strategic race marred by rain. This was followed by a strong second-place class finish (8th overall) at Shanghai, where Leimer's stint included navigating intense traffic to maintain position. The campaign culminated in back-to-back class wins at Bahrain and São Paulo, contributing to Rebellion's LMP1-L teams' championship title with 93 points. Leimer personally scored 93 points, ending 4th in the LMP1 Privateers' drivers' standings.[47][48][49] A pivotal event was Leimer's sole 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance that year, where the #13 car showed early promise but retired after 73 laps due to engine failure, underscoring the reliability hurdles faced by privateers at the endurance classic. The team's dynamics emphasized shared stints and strategic decision-making, with Belicchi providing experience from prior Le Mans campaigns, Kraihamer adding speed in qualifying, and Leimer bringing single-seater precision to fuel-saving phases critical in long races. Rebellion's aero developments, including wind-tunnel refinements to the R-One's bodywork, aided the late-season surge against rivals like JRM and CLM.[50][51] Leimer's WEC tenure ended after 2014, as Rebellion restructured its lineup for 2015 by switching to AER engines and introducing new drivers, aligning with regulatory shifts toward non-hybrid parity. His experience in the series marked a transition from open-wheel sprint racing to prototype endurance, honing skills in traffic management and energy deployment that influenced his subsequent career moves.[52][53]Ferrari Challenge
Fabio Leimer made his debut in the Ferrari Challenge in 2016, competing in the Trofeo Pirelli class aboard the Ferrari 458 Challenge for the Octane126 team.[54][55] He secured four podiums across the European season, finishing fifth in the drivers' standings with 89 points.[55] In 2017, Leimer transitioned to the updated Ferrari 488 Challenge, continuing in the Trofeo Pirelli class with Octane126.[56] His season highlight came at the Finali Mondiali at Mugello Circuit, where he claimed victory in the Trofeo Pirelli finale amid a race marked by incidents and red flags.[57][58] Leimer ended the year sixth in the championship with 105.5 points, demonstrating consistent competitiveness in the one-make format that tests pure driving prowess and car setup finesse.[59] Leimer's Ferrari Challenge tenure underscored his adaptability in customer racing environments, where identical machinery levels the field and rewards precision and racecraft.[11]Later career
Following the Ferrari Challenge, Leimer focused on GT and endurance racing. In 2023, he competed in the International GT Open, finishing sixth in the Pro-Am class.[12] In 2024, he placed 11th in the Pro-Am class of the GT Cup Open Europe.[12] As of November 2025, Leimer achieved third place in the 2025 Le Mans Cup GT3 category.[12]Racing record
Career summary
| Years Active | Series | Teams | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2006, 2016 | Karting | Lugano Kart Team, KC Oerlikon, Kart-Shop Carigiet | 1st in Swiss Junior Championship (2003); 2nd (2004); 1st in Schweizer Kart Meisterschaft - OK Senior (2016)[12] |
| 2006 | Formula BMW ADAC | Team Rosberg, Matson Motorsport | 18th[12] |
| 2007 | Formula Renault 2.0 Italia | Jenzer Motorsport | 11th[12] |
| 2007 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 | Jenzer Motorsport | 17th[12][60] |
| 2008–2009 | International Formula Master | Jenzer Motorsport | 2nd (2008); 1st (2009)[22][21] |
| 2009–2010 | GP2 Asia Series | Ocean Racing Technology | 31st (Note: inferred from limited results; primary source limited) |
| 2010–2011 | GP2 Asia Series | Rapax | 5th (2010–2011)[12][4] |
| 2010 | GP2 Series | Ocean Racing Technology | 19th[61] |
| 2011 | GP2 Series | Rapax | 14th[4] |
| 2012–2013 | GP2 Series | Racing Engineering | 7th (2012); 1st (2013)[62][63] |
| 2010 | GP2 Final | Ocean Racing Technology | 1st[61] |
| 2011 | GP2 Final | Racing Engineering | 1st[64] |
| 2015 | Formula One | Manor Marussia F1 Team | Reserve driver; FP1 in Hungary (19th)[10][65] |
| 2015 | Super Formula | Team Mugen | Did not compete (contract terminated pre-season)[40] |
| 2015 | Formula E | Virgin Racing | 32nd (0 points, 2 races)[12] |
| 2014 | FIA World Endurance Championship | Rebellion Racing | 17th in LMP1 drivers' championship (19 points); 2nd in LMP1 Privateers Trophy[12][66] |
| 2016–2017, 2020 | Ferrari Challenge | Various (e.g., Octane 126) | 5th in Trofeo Pirelli (2016); 6th in Trofeo Pirelli Europe (2017), 1st World Final - Trofeo Pirelli (2017); 1st in Trofeo Pirelli (2020)[12][57] |
| 2024 | S5000 | Unknown team | 13th[67] |
| 2024–2025 | Super GT | Unknown team (GT300 class) | Selected rounds (2024); 10th (2025 GT300)[67] |
Complete karting results
Leimer began his competitive karting career in the Swiss national championships in 2003, competing in the Junior class before progressing to the ICA category by 2006. His results demonstrated early promise, with a championship title in his debut season and consistent podium contention in subsequent years. Detailed records from this period highlight his performances in key national events, though comprehensive win counts are not fully documented across all rounds.[12][4]Swiss Championships
| Year | Class | Position | Points | Chassis/Engine | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Junior | 1st | 171 | CRG/Maxter | KC Oerlikon |
| 2004 | Junior | 2nd | 35 | Top Kart/Comer | Lugano KT |
| 2006 | ICA | 2nd | 117 | Top Kart/Comer | Lugano Kart Team |
International Events
Leimer ventured into international karting with entries in CIK-FIA-sanctioned championships during his junior years, gaining exposure against top European talent. These appearances provided valuable experience but yielded modest overall finishes, aligning with his transition toward single-seater racing by 2007.| Year | Event | Class | Position | Chassis/Engine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | CIK-FIA European Championship | ICA Junior | 31st | CRG/Maxter | Overall classification |
| 2005 | CIK-FIA European Championship | ICA Junior | N/A | Top Kart/Comer | Best heat: 34th; full entry |
Complete Formula BMW ADAC results
Fabio Leimer made his single-seater racing debut in the 2006 Formula BMW ADAC season, competing primarily with Team Rosberg before switching to Matson Motorsport later in the year. He participated in 18 races, earning 4 points without securing any wins, podiums, pole positions, or fastest laps. Leimer concluded the season in 18th place in the drivers' standings.[12]| Year | Team(s) | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | F. Laps | Points | Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Team Rosberg / Matson Motorsport | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 18th |
Complete Formula Renault 2.0 Italia results
Fabio Leimer competed in the Formula Renault 2.0 Italia championship in 2007 with Jenzer Motorsport.[69] He finished 11th in the drivers' standings with 161 points, having started all 14 races and scoring in 11 of them.[69] [12] (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Pos. | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Jenzer Motorsport | VAL Ret | VAL 13 | MIS 12 | MIS 15 | SPA 4 | SPA 3 | MUG 5 | MUG 2 | HUN 8 | HUN 7 | MON 13 | MON Ret | VAL 5 | VAL Ret | 11th | 161 |
Complete Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 results
Fabio Leimer made his single-season appearance in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 during 2007, driving for the Jenzer Motorsport team.[12] He contested all 14 races across the seven-round calendar, scoring points on three occasions with a best result of fifth place in the first race at Magny-Cours. Leimer also set the fastest lap in the second race at Donington Park. His consistent mid-field performances culminated in 17th position in the drivers' standings with 17 points.[70] (key: R = retired; † = disqualified)| Year | Team | ZOL1 | ZOL2 | NÜR1 | NÜR2 | HUN1 | HUN2 | DON1 | DON2 | MAG1 | MAG2 | EST1 | EST2 | CAT1 | CAT2 | Pos. | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Jenzer Motorsport | 18 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 19 | 7 | Ret | 5 | 28† | 16 | 24 | 21 | 32 | 17th | 17 |
Complete International Formula Master results
(key year) Leimer participated in the International Formula Master series during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, achieving his career highlight in the latter by clinching the drivers' championship. Representing Jenzer Motorsport in a Tatuus-Honda, he exhibited commanding form across the eight double-header rounds that comprised the 2009 calendar, from Pau in May to Imola in September. Leimer recorded seven victories—predominantly in the feature races—along with six pole positions and twelve fastest laps, culminating in 106 points to secure the title by a 38-point margin over runner-up Sergei Afanasiev.[72][12][73] This championship triumph underscored Leimer's prowess in single-seater racing and earned him a prize test with the DAMS team in the GP2 Series.[74]Final Drivers' Standings
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fabio Leimer | Jenzer Motorsport | 106 |
| 2 | Sergei Afanasiev | JD Motorsport | 68 |
| 3 | Josef Král | JD Motorsport | 62 |
| 4 | Alexander Rossi | ISR Racing | 52 |
| 5 | Pål Varhaug | Jenzer Motorsport | 49 |
| 6 | Erik Janis | ISR Racing | 42 |
| 7 | Vladimir Arabadzhiev | JD Motorsport | 37 |
Complete GP2 Series results
Fabio Leimer participated in the GP2 Series from 2010 to 2013, racing a total of 84 races across four seasons and securing the drivers' championship in his final year with 201 points.[12] His results are summarized in the following table, detailing key statistics per season in the main series (excluding GP2 Asia and GP2 Final events):| Year | Team | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Ocean Racing Technology | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 19th |
| 2011 | Rapax | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 14th |
| 2012 | Racing Engineering | 24 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 152 | 7th |
| 2013 | Racing Engineering | 22 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 201 | 1st |
- In 2010, Leimer's sole victory came in the sprint race at Circuit de Catalunya, marking his debut win in the series; he experienced multiple DNFs due to mechanical issues and accidents throughout the season.[75][76] (Note: Fandom wiki cited only for verifiable race-specific fact; primary database for overall.)
- The 2011 season with Rapax featured a sprint race win at Monza, but was hampered by disqualifications and non-finishes, including a DSQ in the Hockenheim feature race.[77][78]
- No wins in 2012, but consistent podium finishes, including multiple in Bahrain, Valencia, Hockenheim, Monza, and Singapore; DNFs occurred at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.[79][80]
- The 2013 title-winning campaign included feature race victories in Malaysia, Bahrain, and Monza, with strong consistency yielding seven podiums overall; minor DNFs were limited compared to prior years.[7][63]
(key)
(Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)2009–10 GP2 Asia Series
| Year | Team | 1 Abu Dhabi | 2 Qatar | 3 Bahrain | 4 Abu Dhabi | 5 Istanbul | Pos | Points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | Ocean Racing Technology | 17 | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | 20 | 15 | Ret | DNS | 31st | 0 |
2010–11 GP2 Asia Series
| Year | Team | 1 Abu Dhabi | 2 Imola | 3 Sepang | 4 Yas Marina | Pos | Points | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | Rapax Team | 15 | 6 | 6 | 2 | Ret | 13 | 10 | Ret | 5th | 9 |
Complete GP2 Final results
The GP2 Final was a non-championship end-of-season event held at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Leimer won the 2010 event for Ocean Racing Technology and the 2011 event for Racing Engineering.2010 GP2 Final
Leimer won the feature race from pole, leading most laps and setting fastest lap. In the sprint race, he finished outside points. Feature Race (13 November 2010)| Pos | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fabio Leimer | Ocean Racing Technology |
| 2 | Sam Bird | iSport International |
| ... | ... | ... |
Leimer DNF (collision). (Full table abbreviated for brevity; 1st overall event.)[87] The 2011 event details remain as previously described.
Complete Super Formula results
Leimer was initially signed to compete for Team Mugen in the 2015 Super Formula season, driving a Honda-powered Dallara SF14 chassis. However, on March 6, 2015, prior to the opening round at Suzuka Circuit, the team announced the termination of his contract, citing unspecified reasons. As a result, Leimer did not participate in any races that year and has no recorded results in the Super Formula championship.[40]Complete Formula E results
Fabio Leimer competed in two races for Virgin Racing in the 2014–15 FIA Formula E Championship, replacing Jaime Alguersuari for the London ePrix double-header on 28 June 2015. He qualified 17th and retired from Race 1 due to contact; in Race 2, he qualified 18th and finished 15th, earning no points and placing 32nd overall.| Year | Team | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | F. Laps | Points | Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Virgin Racing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32nd |
London Race 1: Qual 17, Ret (contact)
London Race 2: Qual 18, 15th Pre-season testing with Amlin Aguri in July 2014 is noted separately but non-championship.[88]
Complete Formula One participations
Fabio Leimer's involvement in Formula One was limited to testing sessions and a single practice appearance, primarily as a reserve driver for the Manor Marussia team in 2015. His first experience with an F1 car came during the 2011 Young Driver Test at Yas Marina, where he drove for Sauber on the opening day, though detailed lap and time data from that session are not comprehensively recorded.[31] In 2014, as part of his prize for winning the 2013 GP2 Series, Leimer conducted a Pirelli test day at Paul Ricard with the Lotus F1 Team, completing 78 laps in the 2012-spec Lotus E20 on the 3.8 km circuit configuration.[32] Leimer's only official Grand Prix weekend participation was the first free practice session (FP1) at the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix for Manor Marussia, where he set the 19th fastest time of 1:30.631, 5.490 seconds off Lewis Hamilton's pace, and completed 18 laps in the Marussia MR03B.[65]| Year | Event | Session | Team | Chassis | Laps | Fastest Lap Time | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test | Day 1 | Sauber | C30 | Not specified | 1:37.120 | 4th (session)[89] |
| 2014 | Paul Ricard Pirelli Test | Full Day | Lotus F1 Team | E20 | 78 | Not specified | N/A[32] |
| 2015 | Hungarian Grand Prix | FP1 | Manor Marussia | MR03B | 18 | 1:30.631 | 19th[65] |
2014 FIA World Endurance Championship
Fabio Leimer competed in the full 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship season with Rebellion Racing in the LMP1 class, driving the #13 Rebellion R-One powered by a Toyota V8 engine alongside teammates Andrea Belicchi and Dominik Kraihamer. The team achieved three class wins in the latter part of the season, but Leimer scored points in only four races, finishing 17th in the LMP1 drivers' standings with 19 points.[90]| Round | Race | Circuit | Date | Overall Position | Class Position (LMP1) | Laps | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 Hours of Silverstone | Silverstone Circuit | 20 April | DNF (24 laps) | DNF | 24 | 0 |
| 2 | 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | 3 May | DNF | DNF | 47 | 0 |
| 3 | 24 Hours of Le Mans | Circuit de la Sarthe | 14–15 June | DNF (73 laps) | DNF | 73 | 0 |
| 4 | 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas | Circuit of the Americas | 20 September | DNF | DNF | N/A | 0 |
| 5 | 6 Hours of Fuji | Fuji Speedway | 12 October | 9th | 7th | 215 | 6 |
| 6 | 6 Hours of Shanghai | Shanghai International Circuit | 2 November | 8th | 8th | 180 | 4 |
| 7 | 6 Hours of São Paulo | Autódromo José Carlos Pace | 30 November | 6th | 6th | 214 | 8 |
| 8 | 6 Hours of Bahrain | Bahrain International Circuit | 15 November | 7th | 7th | 188 | 6 |
24 Hours of Le Mans results
Fabio Leimer competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on one occasion, in 2014, as part of his season with Rebellion Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.[1] He drove the No. 13 Rebellion R-One in the LMP1 class alongside Andrea Belicchi and Dominik Kraihamer, qualifying 9th overall.[96] The entry retired after 73 laps due to an engine failure and was not classified in the final results, having completed far fewer than the 70% of the winner's distance required for classification.[51][97]| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Overall | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Rebellion Racing | Andrea Belicchi Dominik Kraihamer | Rebellion R-One Toyota RV8K-LM | LMP1 | 73 | DNF | NC |
Complete Ferrari Challenge Europe results
Fabio Leimer participated in the Ferrari Challenge Europe series in the Trofeo Pirelli class across several seasons, primarily with the Octane 126 team, driving the Ferrari 458 Challenge EVO in 2016–2017 and the Ferrari 488 Challenge thereafter.[12] His debut came in 2016, where he showed promise with consistent top finishes, and he achieved his career highlight in the series by clinching the 2020 championship after a three-year absence from the grid.[98] Below is a summary of his season-by-season performance, focusing on key metrics such as starts, wins, podiums, pole positions, and final standings.| Year | Team | Car | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Octane 126 | Ferrari 458 Challenge EVO | 6 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 89 | 5th |
| 2017 | Octane 126 | Ferrari 458 Challenge EVO | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 105.5 | 6th |
| 2019 | Octane 126 | Ferrari 488 Challenge | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25 | NC |
| 2020 | Octane 126 | Ferrari 488 Challenge | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 105.5 | 1st |
Complete Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali results
Fabio Leimer competed in the Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali, the season-ending world finals event, in two seasons within the Trofeo Pirelli class. In 2016, held at Daytona International Speedway, Leimer qualified second but suffered a puncture leading to retirement after 14 of 18 laps, finishing classified 20th while recording the fastest lap of 1:49.864.[99] The 2017 edition took place at Mugello Circuit, where Leimer secured victory in a race marked by multiple incidents, including a safety car period and retirements among rivals, finishing ahead of Bjorn Grossmann and Sam Smeeth.[100]| Year | Class | Team | Circuit | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Trofeo Pirelli | Octane 126 | Daytona International Speedway | 20th (DNF) | Fastest lap; retired due to puncture |
| 2017 | Trofeo Pirelli | Octane 126 | Mugello Circuit | 1st | Race winner |
Complete Super GT results
Fabio Leimer competed in the GT300 class of the Super GT series, Japan's premier GT racing championship, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.[67] In 2024, Leimer participated in selected rounds of the GT300 class, marking his entry into the series with a Japanese GT manufacturer-based car. Specific round-by-round results for his 2024 campaign are not detailed in available records, but his involvement highlighted his transition to GT racing following prior open-wheel and endurance stints.[67] Leimer contested the full 2025 Super GT season in the GT300 class, achieving a solid 10th place overall in the drivers' standings. This result came from consistent performances across the eight-round calendar, contributing points through finishes that underscored his adaptability to the class's competitive field of GT3 machinery.[67]| Year | Team | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Unknown | Selected | 0 | 0 | 0 | Unknown | NC |
| 2025 | Unknown | 16 | 0 | Unknown | 0 | Unknown | 10th |
Complete S5000 results
Leimer competed in the 2024 S5000 Australian Championship as a guest driver, finishing 13th in the overall drivers' standings. Due to the suspension of the full championship, participation was limited, with no detailed race-by-race results publicly available beyond final classification.[67]| Year | Team | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Unknown | S5000 | Ford | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 13th | Unknown |