Surprise US Appearance for Finn Wiebelhaus: The Sensational HRT Rookie Is Set to Compete for the Title on Unfamiliar Terrain and Is Given a Special Opportunity at Ford
Surprise U.S. appearance by DTM breakout rookie Finn Wiebelhaus: The 20-year-old Ford junior, who secured the first Ford Mustang GT3 podium finish in the DTM at the Lausitzring, is stepping into the IMSA Pilot Challenge—held as part of the U.S. IMSA sports car series—on short notice.
The mission for the Obertshausen native, who was nominated by Ford for the assignment, is to compete alongside Robert Noaker in the final three race weekends of the season in Virginia, Indianapolis, and Road Atlanta to secure the title for the McCumbee-McAleer team. This is because regular driver Nate Cicero withdrew at short notice during the season and is no longer part of the Ford lineup.
There’s a lot at stake, as the team leads the overall standings in the U.S. series. For Wiebelhaus, who will be behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang GT4 for the first time this coming weekend in Virginia, this is an enormous challenge, as he is unfamiliar with the U.S. tracks and has never driven a GT4 race car before.
Wiebelhaus Skips DTM Test for U.S. Program
However, the HRT driver has already proven at the Norisring—with his second DTM podium finish—just how quickly he learns, as the treacherous street circuit is no walk in the park despite having just four turns—and Wiebelhaus arrived with absolutely no prior experience.
The downside for Wiebelhaus: He’ll miss the official DTM test at the Sachsenring this coming Sunday, in which HRT will now participate with only one car and Arjun Maini.
This is a track the youngster is unfamiliar with—and, due to high tire wear, it’s considered the second most challenging track of the season for the Mustang GT3 Evo, alongside Zandvoort.
IMSA guest appearance a major opportunity for Wiebelhaus
However, the U.S. appearance is also a major opportunity beyond simply getting to know the tracks for potential future IMSA races, as Ford decision-makers will be on site. He thus has the chance to draw attention to himself with strong performances in Ford’s home country and put himself in the running for future races.
Wiebelhaus is eagerly looking forward to his U.S. debut. “The American race tracks are a completely new challenge for me,” he says. “At the same time, I’m joining a team that’s fighting for the championship. Together with Robert and the entire team, I want to do my part to help win the title.”
Team co-owner Chad McCumbee is also looking forward to the newcomer. “He has already proven himself as a top driver in Europe—and with his experience within the Ford racing community, he’s the perfect choice for our program.
Wiebelhaus’s second IMSA weekend will take place from September 18–20—one week after the DTM weekend at the Sachsenring. And the season finale, also known as Petit Le Mans, will be held from September 30 to October 2 at the Road Atlanta circuit—one week before the DTM season finale at Hockenheim.
