René Rast Bio
René Rast (born 26 October 1986) is a German professional racing driver widely regarded as one of the most successful touring car competitors of his generation. Best known as a three-time Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) champion, Rast has also built a strong reputation in sports car racing and Formula E. His career highlights include overall victories at the 24 Hours of Spa and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Born in Minden, West Germany, Rast began his motorsport journey in karting before climbing the ladder of single-seater and production-car championships. He went on to claim titles in Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, Porsche Supercup, and ADAC GT Masters before establishing himself as a dominant force in DTM with Audi. Across his career he has competed for manufacturers including Audi, Porsche, and Nissan-powered LMP2 prototypes.
Early Life and Background
René Rast was born on 26 October 1986 in Minden, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany. He grew up in post-reunification Germany, where motorsport culture was strong and supported by a deep network of regional racing series. From an early age, Rast showed interest in competitive driving, which eventually led his family to introduce him to karting.
Rast’s formative years were spent in the karting paddock, where he developed the race craft and car control that would later define his professional career. As a junior driver, he progressed through Germany’s structured karting pathway, learning how to manage tire wear, race traffic, and consistent lap times. Those grassroots years provided the foundation for his transition into formula and touring car competition.
Path to NASCAR
There is no verified record of René Rast competing in NASCAR national series. Rast’s professional career has been built primarily around European and international motorsport, including DTM, sports car endurance events, and Formula E. Without documented NASCAR starts, a transition pathway into NASCAR cannot be described from the available sources.
René Rast Career
Early Career (2005–2012)
Rast began his single-seater and production-car career by winning the 2005 ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup and finishing as runner-up in the 2006 Seat León Supercopa Germany. Switching to sports car racing in 2007, he quickly adapted to Porsche machinery. He won the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in 2008 and again in 2012, establishing himself as one of the brand’s leading junior talents.
Between 2010 and 2012, Rast claimed three championships, including Porsche Supercup titles. He also won the ADAC GT Masters championship in 2014, capping a long development phase with Phoenix Racing and other customer teams. His first major endurance victory came at the 2012 24 Hours of Daytona, where he shared a Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with Andy Lally, Richard Lietz, and John Potter.
DTM Breakthrough (2016–2020)
Rast entered the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters in 2016, contesting two rounds as a guest driver with an Audi RS5 for Team Rosberg. The following year, in his first full DTM campaign, he won the 2017 DTM championship driving for Team Rosberg. The title confirmed his status as Audi’s lead driver in the series and set the stage for one of the most dominant stretches in modern DTM history.
In 2018, Rast opened the season with a record-breaking six consecutive race victories, eventually finishing as runner-up, just four points short of a repeat title. He returned to win the 2019 DTM Championship and secured his third series crown in 2020. Across his DTM career, Rast recorded 31 wins, 59 podiums, 27 pole positions, and 18 fastest laps in 138 starts.
Formula E Career (2016–2023)
Rast made his Formula E debut at the 2016 Berlin ePrix with Team Aguri, substituting for António Félix da Costa. He returned to the series during the final six races of the 2019-20 season, replacing Daniel Abt at Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler and scoring a podium in Berlin. In 2020–21, he became a permanent Audi driver alongside Lucas di Grassi.
After sitting out the 2021–22 Formula E World Championship, Rast returned in 2022–23 with the McLaren Formula E Team, scoring one podium and finishing 13th in the standings with 78 points. Across 38 Formula E starts, he recorded 3 podiums, 3 fastest laps, and a best championship finish of 13th. He has since announced his departure from Formula E competition.
Schubert Motorsport Era (2024–Present)
Rast currently competes for Schubert Motorsport, with car number 33. His move to the German outfit aligns with his broader return to GT and endurance racing, following his Formula E commitments. Schubert Motorsport has a long history in BMW customer programs, providing Rast with a platform for renewed sports car success.
With Schubert, Rast has continued to add to his endurance racing resume, leveraging his familiarity with GT3 machinery. The partnership positions him for top-category GT races and selected international events, where his DTM-winning race craft and tire management remain highly competitive assets.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rast is widely regarded as a calm, analytical driver with exceptional tire management and consistent race pace. His strengths lie in long-distance endurance events, where strategy and stint consistency are critical, and in touring car battles that demand precise wheel-to-wheel combat. His experience working with factory-supported programs, including Audi Sport, has made him a reliable lead driver in multi-class team environments.
Notable Races and Milestones
Rast’s most celebrated victories include the 2012 and 2014 24 Hours of Spa, the 2012 24 Hours of Daytona GT class win, and the 2014 24 Hours of Nürburgring. He also finished sixth overall at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, his best result at the French endurance classic. His three DTM titles (2017, 2019, 2020) and record six-race winning streak in 2018 remain defining milestones of his career.
René Rast Career Wins
René Rast’s career is defined by championships rather than only individual race wins. He is a three-time DTM champion (2017, 2019, 2020), a two-time Porsche Carrera Cup Germany champion (2008, 2012), a Porsche Supercup champion, and the 2014 ADAC GT Masters champion. He also counts multiple major endurance race victories among his palmares.
DTM Highlights
Across 138 DTM starts, Rast amassed 31 wins, 59 podiums, 27 pole positions, and 18 fastest laps. His 2017 title came in his first full season, followed by the 2018 near-miss and the 2019 and 2020 championships. His six consecutive victories in 2018 remain a series benchmark for streak dominance.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond DTM, Rast claimed overall wins at the 2012 and 2014 24 Hours of Spa, the 2014 24 Hours of Nürburgring, and the 2012 24 Hours of Daytona GT class. He also won races in the FIA GT Series, Blancpain Sprint Series, and FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 category, including a victory at Bahrain in 2016.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTM | 31 | 59 | 27 |
| Formula E | 0 | 3 | 0 |
René Rast Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public sources do not document a multi-generational racing lineage for René Rast. He emerged from the German karting scene as a self-made talent, with his family supporting his early progression into single-seater and sports car racing. Further details about parents or siblings are not available in verified sources.
Personal Life
René Rast is known to be German by nationality and has spent much of his career based in Germany. Publicly verified personal details, including marital status, spouse, or children, are not available from the provided sources. He maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his racing activities.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, René Rast continues his role with Schubert Motorsport in car number 33. His program centers on GT3 endurance and customer racing efforts, building on a long resume of sports car success. With DTM’s transition to GT3 regulations, Rast’s experience is expected to remain highly relevant in the German touring car scene.
Rast’s 2025 campaign is shaped by his endurance racing pedigree and his familiarity with multi-class team environments. As one of the most experienced Audi and Porsche campaigners in the paddock, he is positioned to play a leadership role within Schubert Motorsport’s driver lineup. His pace in long stints and strategic consistency are expected to remain key performance factors.
Outlook for the season points to continued involvement in headline European GT and endurance events, where Rast remains a proven race-winner. While no single 2025 championship target is confirmed in the available data, his track record suggests he will be a factor in any major race he enters. Fans and teams alike will be watching his results closely throughout the year.
