In 2025, 45-year-old Thomas Ambiel is stepping into the Prototype Cup Germany, bringing with him a rich motorsport background, albeit with a long gap from active competition. Ambiel, a businessman by trade, has always remained connected to motorsport, and now he’s ready for a fresh chapter in his racing career.
“I’m really excited for the season and can’t wait to get started,” says Ambiel. “I believe that with the Rinaldi Racing team, I’ve made a great choice. Michele Rinaldi is an honest racer who loves motorsport and does outstanding work with his team.” Ambiel’s enthusiasm about the season and the team shows his optimism, and his partnership with Rinaldi Racing marks a new but promising start in his racing journey.
Ambiel’s motorsport career began back in 1996 with karting, and he quickly transitioned into car racing. From 2002 to 2003, he competed in the ADAC Volkswagen Lupo Cup. During the second year of racing in the Lupo Cup, he also started competing in the VLN (Nürburgring Endurance Series). “In 2004, I became Junior Champion in the VLN, racing a BMW M3 for Bonk Motorsport,” Ambiel recalls. From that point until 2007, the VLN series was his primary focus. However, as his career in motorsport developed, so did his career in business.
“Unfortunately, I had to stop racing in 2007,” Ambiel explains. “During my education and studies, I had built up my IT company and was focused on getting a training certificate to be able to train apprentices. These commitments didn’t align with racing, as both required weekends. After that, family and business had to take priority over motorsport.”
Despite stepping away from active competition, Ambiel maintained his ties to motorsport, especially with Gebhardt Motorsport, who had supported him during his karting days. When Fritz Gebhardt returned to the racetrack in 2019, Ambiel was there. “That’s when I felt the urge to race again,” he admits. However, the historical Group C cars that Gebhardt was involved with at the time didn’t appeal to him. “But the Prototype Cup Germany with the modern LMP3 cars was a perfect fit because my IT company also represents modern high-tech. That’s when the idea of a motorsport comeback became stronger, especially with the launch of the Prototype Cup Germany in 2022.”
Though Ambiel initially wasn’t ready in 2023, by the following season, the stars aligned for him to finally re-enter the racing scene. “Drivers like Antti Rammo and Klaus Abbelen inspired me last season. Antti, in particular, showed that, with a bit of luck, it can actually be an advantage to race solo as a Bronze driver. That’s something I want to try as well. It gives me maximum driving time, which will be especially helpful at the beginning of the season to adapt to the LMP3 car as quickly as possible.”
Ambiel is no stranger to the Prototype Cup Germany, having seen it from the perspective of a partner of Gebhardt Motorsport. “I really like the spirit in the paddock and the way the teams and drivers interact with each other. I also think it’s great that the Nissan V8 engines are still used in the series. I’m familiar with the DTM environment from my Lupo days and always enjoyed it.”
His goals for the season are clear: to achieve a podium finish. “I’ve named my project ‘OnePodiumTogether,’ so a podium is my clear target,” Ambiel explains. “Whether that happens in 2025 or 2026, I don’t want to put pressure on myself. I’m going into this new challenge calmly but with a lot of joy.”
Reflection: A Comeback Fueled by Passion and Experience
Thomas Ambiel’s return to motorsport after an extended break is an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to pursue a dream, especially when passion and determination remain strong. Ambiel’s deep connection to racing, paired with his successful business career, makes his story unique. His journey reflects a careful balance of responsibility and the desire to reignite his competitive spirit.
Ambiel’s decision to join Rinaldi Racing signals that he’s not just returning for the sake of nostalgia. He’s chosen a team that shares his values and passion for motorsport. Michele Rinaldi’s commitment to fair play and the team’s professionalism align with Ambiel’s own goals of success and enjoyment in racing. This partnership seems like the perfect fit for Ambiel, who is ready to embrace the modern world of LMP3 racing with an eye on the future.
His experience in the VLN and the ADAC Volkswagen Lupo Cup has given him a solid foundation in endurance racing, but now, with the high-tech LMP3 cars, Ambiel is set to face new challenges. His decision to race solo as a Bronze driver is strategic, allowing him to maximize his driving time while getting acclimated to the new car and competition. It’s clear that Ambiel has a well-thought-out approach to his comeback, focusing on gradual improvement and preparation.
The clear goal of achieving a podium finish shows his ambition, but his attitude of taking things step-by-step is a healthy one. By keeping his focus on the process rather than putting pressure on immediate results, Ambiel is positioning himself for long-term success. Whether his podium dream materializes in 2025 or 2026, his enthusiasm and calm determination will likely keep him on a trajectory toward achieving that goal.
As a newcomer to the Prototype Cup Germany, Ambiel’s presence adds diversity to the grid, and his background provides an interesting contrast to many of the younger drivers in the series. His story underscores the importance of following one’s passion, regardless of age or experience, and his journey in the Prototype Cup Germany will certainly be one to watch.