Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (born 19 November 2000) is a French racing driver who is set to compete for Inter Europol Competition in the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans and 2025 European Le Mans Series. He is the former champion of the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup in the Silver Cup category, a title he achieved alongside Benjamin Goethe and Thomas Neubauer, driving for W Racing Team, ROFGO Racing with Team WRT.

Early career

Karting

Simmenauer first began karting in 2012 with Italian team Tony Kart. In 2015, he claimed the title in the French Karting Championship.

Toyota Racing Series

In December 2016, it was announced Simmenauer would make his debut in single-seaters in the 2017 Toyota Racing Series, Toyota Racing Series, replacing reigning champion Lando Norris, following the latter's decision not to defend his title.

Formula Renault 2.0

In January 2017, Simmenauer joined JD Motorsport for the 2017 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, Formula Renault Eurocup. He went on to experience a disappointing campaign, failing to score points in a season he would end 27th in the standings.

Sportscar career

Porsche Cup

Simmenauer switched to Sports car racing, sportscar racing in 2018, driving for Walter Lechner Racing, Lechner Racing in the 2018 Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, Porsche Carrera Cup Germany. With a best result of sixth at the Nürburgring the Frenchman ended up 12th in the standings, having missed one of the seven rounds. In the middle of the season, Simmenauer made his debut in the 2018 Porsche Supercup, Porsche Supercup, driving in the Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone event. The following year, another season of PCCG would be in store for Simmenauer, who would start a further four races in the 2019 Porsche Supercup, Supercup. Once again with Lechner Racing, his best individual placing improved to fourth at the Norisring, though a number of retirements dropped him to 15th in the championship.

GT World Challenge

For the 2022 season, Simmenauer joined Team WRT to compete in the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup, GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup alongside Christopher Mies, whilst partnering Benjamin Goethe and Thomas Neubauer in the Silver Cup of the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. Notable success would come in the latter, as the Frenchman won three races in his category, which included the 2022 24 Hours of Spa, 24 Hours of Spa, which meant that Simmenauer and his teammates were crowned Silver Cup champions with one round to spare. Despite WRT's manufacturer change to BMW ahead of 2023, Simmenauer returned to the team. He partnered 2022 Endurance Cup co-driver Neubauer in the Pro class of the 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, and joined Calan Williams and Niklas Krütten in the 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, Endurance Cup.

LMP2

Having made his prototype racing debut at the start of 2024, driving in the 2024 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi rounds of the 2023–24 Asian Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series with Duqueine Team, Simmenauer joined the team for a full season in the 2024 European Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series alongside James Allen (racing driver), James Allen and Niels Koolen. In addition, the Frenchman would take part in that year's 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Racing record

Career summary

^† As Simmenauer was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points. ^* Season still in progress.

Complete Formula Renault NEC results

(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)

Complete Formula Renault Eurocup results

(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)

Complete Porsche Carrera Cup Germany results

(Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)

Complete Porsche Carrera Cup France results

(Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)

Complete Porsche Supercup results

(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap) ^† As Simmenauer was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.

Complete GT World Challenge results

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup

(Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)

GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup

(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)

Complete European Le Mans Series results

^* Season still in progress.

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Simmenauer, Jean Baptiste 2000 births Living people French racing drivers Toyota Racing Series drivers Formula Renault Eurocup drivers Formula Renault 2.0 NEC drivers NASCAR drivers Porsche Supercup drivers JD Motorsport drivers M2 Competition drivers Walter Lechner Racing drivers W Racing Team drivers Karting World Championship drivers Audi Sport drivers 24H Series drivers Porsche Carrera Cup Germany drivers Porsche Carrera Cup France drivers BMW M drivers 24 Hours of Spa drivers European Le Mans Series drivers Asian Le Mans Series drivers Duqueine Team drivers 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup drivers 21st-century French sportsmen