Gary Hirsch
| Gary Hirsch | |
|---|---|
Hirsch in 2016 | |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Born | 3 April 1987 Geneva, Switzerland |
| Racing licence | FIA Silver (until 2015, 2026–)[1] FIA Gold (2016–2025) |
| Championship titles | |
| 2015 2013 | European Le Mans Series – LMP2 European Le Mans Series – LMPC |
Gary Hirsch (born 3 April 1987) is a Swiss racing driver who last competed in the LMGTE Am class of the FIA World Endurance Championship for Aston Martin Racing.
Career
Hirsch began karting at the age of 12, competing until 2004, most notably winning the Rotax Max Swiss Karting Challenge in 2002. After finishing runner-up in the Volant Mygale shootout in 2004 and racing part-time in the British Formula Ford Championship a year later, Hirsch joined Graff Racing to race in the French Formula Renault 2.0 series.[2] Hirsch then made a one-off appearance in Formula Renault Asia 2.0 in 2008,[3] before taking a three year hiatus to focus on his studies at the University of Geneva.[4] In 2011, Hirsch raced in the first two rounds of the FIA GT3 European Championship with Graff Racing, taking a best result of fifth at Silverstone.[5]
Following a two year hiatus, Hirsch joined Team Endurance Challenge to race in the LMPC class of the European Le Mans Series alongside Paul-Loup Chatin.[6] After finishing second at Silverstone, the pair won the following three races to take the points lead,[7][8][9] before securing the LMPC title by finishing second in the finale at Le Castellet.[10]
Staying in the European Le Mans Series for 2014, Hirsch joined Newblood by Morand Racing to race in the LMP2 class alongside Christian Klien and Romain Brandela.[11] Hirsch began the season with a third-place finish at Silverstone,[12] before scoring his only win of the season two races later at Le Castellet and ending the year with a second-place finish at Estoril to end the year third in points.[13][14] During 2014, Hirsch also made his debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Klien and Brandela,[15] finishing sixth in the LMP2 class and tenth overall.[16]
Hirsch remained in the European Le Mans Series for 2015, joining Greaves Motorsport alongside Jon Lancaster and Björn Wirdheim for his sophomore season in the LMP2 class.[17] Starting off the season with a win at Silverstone,[18] Hirsch finished fourth in the following two races,[19][20] before winning at Le Castellet and finishing second at Estoril to secure the LMP2 title.[21][22] During 2015, Hirsch competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the same team,[23] running as high as second before retiring with an electrical issue.[24]
The following year, Hirsch was upgraded to an FIA Gold Categorisation,[25] and only raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Aston Martin Racing.[26] Racing in the LMGTE Am class alongside Liam Griffin and Andrew Howard, the trio finished seventh in class.[27] Three years after his last appearance in racing, Hirsch joined Rebellion Racing as their test and reserve driver for the 2018–19 FIA World Endurance Championship.[28]
Karting record
Karting career summary
| Season | Series | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Challenge Suisse de Karting – Rotax Max | 1st | |
| 2003 | Suisse Romand championship – ICA | NC | |
| 2004 | Suisse Romand championship Elite | ORS Kart Racing Team | 5th |
| 24 Hours of Suisse | 1st | ||
| Sources:[29] | |||
Racing record
Racing career summary
| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | British Formula Ford Championship | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| 2007 | Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.0 | Graff Racing | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 13th |
| Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31st | ||
| 2008 | Formula Asia 2.0 | Champ Motorsport | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 11th |
| 2011 | FIA GT3 European Championship | Graff Racing | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 24th |
| 2013 | European Le Mans Series – LMPC | Team Endurance Challenge | 5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 115 | 1st |
| 2014 | European Le Mans Series – LMP2 | Newblood by Morand Racing | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 68 | 3rd |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans – LMP2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 6th | ||
| 2015 | European Le Mans Series – LMP2 | Greaves Motorsport | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 93 | 1st |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans – LMP2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | DNF | ||
| 2016 | FIA World Endurance Championship – LMGTE Am | Aston Martin Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 11th |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans – LMGTE Am | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 7th | ||
| 2018–19 | FIA World Endurance Championship – LMP1 | Rebellion Racing | Reserve driver | ||||||
| Sources:[30][29] | |||||||||
Complete Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.0 results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Graff Racing | NOG 1 15 |
NOG 2 23 |
LED 1 Ret |
LED 2 10 |
DIJ 1 7 |
DIJ 2 Ret |
VIE 1 Ret |
VIE 2 9 |
MAG1 4 |
MAG2 1 9 |
MAG2 2 Ret |
CAT 1 Ret |
CAT 2 Ret |
13th | 19 |
Complete Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Graff Racing | ZOL 1 26 |
ZOL 2 22 |
NÜR 1 18 |
NÜR 2 17 |
HUN 1 |
HUN 2 |
DON 1 |
DON 2 |
MAG 1 |
MAG 2 |
EST 1 |
EST 2 |
CAT 1 |
CAT 2 |
31st | 0 |
Complete FIA GT3 European Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Graff Racing | Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 | Mercedes-Benz 6.2 L V8 | ALG 1 6 |
ALG 2 Ret |
SIL 1 9 |
SIL 2 5 |
NAV 1 |
NAV 2 |
LEC 1 |
LEC 2 |
SLO 1 |
SLO 2 |
ZAN 1 |
ZAN 2 |
24th | 20 |
Complete European Le Mans Series results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Team Endurance Challenge | LMPC | Oreca FLM09 | Chevrolet LS3 6.2L V8 | SIL 2 |
IMO 1 |
RBR 1 |
HUN 1 |
LEC 2 |
1st | 115 |
| 2014 | Newblood by Morand Racing | LMP2 | Morgan LMP2 | Judd HK 3.6 L V8 | SIL 3 |
IMO Ret |
RBR 5 |
LEC 1 |
EST 2 |
3rd | 68 |
| 2015 | Greaves Motorsport | LMP2 | Gibson 015S | Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 | SIL 1 |
IMO 4 |
RBR 4 |
LEC 1 |
EST 2 |
1st | 93 |
24 Hours of Le Mans results
| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Newblood by Morand Racing | Christian Klien Romain Brandela |
Morgan LMP2-Judd | LMP2 | 352 | 10th | 6th |
| 2015 | Greaves Motorsport | Jon Lancaster Gaëtan Paletou |
Gibson 015S-Nissan | LMP2 | 71 | DNF | DNF |
| 2016 | Aston Martin Racing | Liam Griffin Andrew Howard |
Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE | GTE Am |
318 | 36th | 7th |
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
| Year | Entrant | Class | Car | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Aston Martin Racing | LMGTE Am | Aston Martin Vantage GTE | Aston Martin 4.5 L V8 | SIL | SPA | LMS 4 |
NÜR | MEX | COA | FUJ | SHA | BHR | 11th | 24 |
References
- ^ Goodwin, Graham (2 October 2025). "2026 Provisional FIA Driver Categorisations Released". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Gary Hirsch – à deux points du bonheur". sport-auto.ch (in French). 26 September 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "AP: ART Sepang round two summary". motorsport.com. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Rencontre avec trois jeunes pilotes suisses qui rêvent de Formule 1". bilan.ch (in French). 7 August 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "GT3: Graff wants his revenge". autohebdof1.com. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "ELMS – Paul Loup Chatin et Gary Hirsch complètent le Team Endurance Challenge". autohebdo.fr (in French). 26 March 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Hirsch and Chatain confirm their potential at Imola". motorsport.com. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Thiriet by TDS Racing wins the 3 Hours of Red Bull Ring". motorsport.com. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Hat trick for Hirsch and Chatin at the 3 Hours of Hungaroring". motorsport.com. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "2013 Champions: ELMS". dailysportscar.com. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Morand Confirms Hirsch, Klien for LMP2 Campaign". sportscar365.com. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "ELMS: Silverstone, Quick Race Report". dailysportscar.com. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Premier succès pour le team de Benoît Morand". lagruyere.ch (in French). 16 September 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "ELMS: Estoril, Race Report". dailysportscar.com. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours: Race Preview, Part Three, LMP2". dailysportscar.com. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "FIA WEC 82nd Edition des 24 Heures du Mans Race Provisional Classification" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 15 June 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Greaves Announces ELMS, 24H Le Mans Driver Lineups". sportscar365.com. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Triplé suisse historique à Silverstone". letemps.ch (in French). 13 April 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "ELMS: Imola, First Win For ORECA 05 Coupe". dailysportscar.com. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Greaves Motorsport keeps ELMS title challenge in focus at the 4 Hours of Red Bull Ring". motorsport.com. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Jota Given Time Penalty; Greaves Declared Paul Ricard Winners". sportscar365.com. 6 September 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Estoril ELMS: Greaves' Wirdheim, Lancaster and Hirsch win title". autosport.com. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours: Race Preview Part Three, LMP2". dailysportscar.com. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Hirsch's heroic efforts to keep Le Mans run alive". motorsport.com. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Gary Hirsch Discusses Winning The ELMS Title & His New Driver Ranking". dailysportscar.com. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Beechdean AMR Announces 24H Le Mans Lineup". sportscar365.com. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Aston Martin Racing leave Le Mans as World Endurance Championship leaders". motorsport.com. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Gary Hirsch nouveau pilote réserve et développement du Team Rebellion Racing". sport-auto.ch (in French). 11 March 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Gary Hirsch | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Gary Hirsch Results". motorsportstats.com. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
External links
- Gary Hirsch career summary at DriverDB.com
- Official website