Mathias Bjerre Jakobsen, a promising 18-year-old Danish racing talent, will join the BWT Mücke Motorsport team for the Prototype Cup Germany, completing their quartet of drivers. He comes from the world of Formula racing and will be sharing a Duqueine D08 with Italian driver Riccardo Leone Cirelli.
This addition to the Mücke team is consistent with their strategy of focusing on young drivers, as Jakobsen is following in the footsteps of his teammates, who are all under 20 years old. Riccardo Leone Cirelli, Maksymilian Angelard, and Mattis Pluschkell are all part of the team’s youthful lineup. Team principal Stefan Mücke spoke highly of Jakobsen’s progress, noting, “We have been following Mathias’ development over the past two years and were impressed by his performance.”
Jakobsen himself expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “I’m very proud to be racing for Mücke Motorsport in the Prototype Cup Germany. I’m looking forward to the new challenge in LMP3 and want to continue developing as a driver. With Riccardo as my teammate, I believe I can learn a lot from him, especially since he has a season of experience in the series.”
Jakobsen’s racing career began in Denmark’s Formula 4, where he spent two years and won the Nordic 4 series in 2024. That same year, he was also named “Talent of the Year” in Denmark. His big break came when he entered a shootout, organized by the Luxembourg-based team Racing Experience, which offered a spot in the Prototype Winter Series. Jakobsen emerged victorious from a pool of competitors from twelve different nations, earning a chance to represent the team that had been the 2023 champion in the Prototype Cup Germany. Reflecting on the experience, Jakobsen recalled, “There were 20 candidates, and we had to demonstrate our skills first in a simulator and then in an LMP3 car on a real track. Winning that shootout was a huge step in my career.”
During the Prototype Winter Series, Jakobsen teamed up with Wolfgang Payr, and together, they celebrated a podium finish at the Aragon round. He noted the challenges of adapting to the LMP3 car, saying, “The LMP3 is much more powerful and heavier than a Formula 4 car, and the tracks in Spain and Portugal are much longer and faster than those in Denmark. But I took it step by step, and my team principal Christian Hauser didn’t put any pressure on me, which allowed me to develop over the four race weekends.”
BWT Mücke Motorsport also recognized Jakobsen’s potential and offered him a test drive, soon after which they signed him for the 2025 season.
Looking toward the future, Jakobsen is determined to build a career in the prototype racing world. His long-term goal is to race in a Hypercar by 2030, and he sees the path through LMP3 and LMP2 as the way to get there. “I’ve always loved endurance racing because it’s all about teamwork. You can’t go far as an individualist.” He also admires Danish legend Tom Kristensen, the record winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jakobsen recalls, “Tom is a huge idol in Denmark, and it was amazing to meet him. He gave us some great tips when we were training on Lanzarote with a group of Danish talents.”
In the meantime, Jakobsen is balancing his racing ambitions with work. He spends up to 60 hours a week helping out at his family’s gas station, restaurant, and meat factory. He acknowledges the challenge of juggling both, saying, “I know I can’t keep this up for the next five years, but right now, I’m doing everything I can to make sure I have the chance to race and build a career in motorsport.”
Reflection: A Rising Star in Motorsport
Mathias Bjerre Jakobsen’s story is one of determination, skill, and passion for racing. At just 18, he’s already proven himself a formidable talent, competing at a high level in both Formula 4 and prototype racing. What stands out is not just his raw speed, but his approach to growth and learning. He’s surrounded by mentors like Riccardo Leone Cirelli, and his admiration for veterans like Tom Kristensen shows his humility and eagerness to improve.
His journey from Formula 4 in Denmark to the Prototype Cup Germany reflects a wider trend in motorsport, where young drivers are given the chance to prove themselves in high-performance machines like the LMP3. The pressure is immense, but it’s clear that Jakobsen is not only ready for the challenge but also willing to work hard off the track to make his dreams come true. His dedication to his family’s business and his humble approach to his career show a work ethic that will serve him well in the highly competitive world of motorsport.
As Jakobsen continues to develop, he’s not just aiming for short-term success but for a future in endurance racing. His goals may seem ambitious, but if his rise continues at this pace, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him achieve them. The world of endurance racing has a long history of drivers emerging from humble beginnings, and Jakobsen could very well be one of the next stars to follow in those footsteps.
In the ever-evolving world of motorsport, especially in prototype racing, the path from young talent to established driver is a difficult one. But with his passion, commitment, and impressive track record so far, Jakobsen is well on his way to making a name for himself in the sport. His story serves as an inspiring reminder that with the right mix of skill, determination, and hard work, dreams can turn into reality—one lap at a time.