Fabio Scherer has already made a name for himself in endurance racing in recent years. After impressive performances in the WEC and ELMS, as well as a class victory at Le Mans, the Swiss driver made a surprise move to the DTM this year. He spoke to Endurance Archive about his future in endurance motorsport.
Fabio Scherer made big headlines in the motorsport world at the 100th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023. Despite a broken foot, the Swiss driver completed 158 laps and secured class victory in the endurance classic with his teammates Albert Costa and Jakub Śmiechowski. After a season with United Autosports in the ELMS, Scherer announced his DTM comeback for 2025 and thus also his debut in GT3 racing.
‘The return to the DTM was extremely difficult,’ Fabio Scherer told Endurance Archive at the Sachsenring. ‘In the last five years, I’ve probably driven in four qualifying sessions. Coming into one of the championships where qualifying is most important was obviously a big adjustment.’
Scherer, who hails from Engelberg in Switzerland, proved that he is steadily improving over the season at the Sachsenring races. On the track, which Scherer enjoyed driving even in his Formula 4 days, he secured important championship points with eighth and eleventh places. ‘Things are moving in the right direction,’ Scherer said confidently. ‘We will be able to collect a few more laurels in the last two race weekends.’
LMP2 to GT3: Not an easy transition
Scherer is competing in the DTM with a Ford Mustang GT3 from his team, HRT Ford Performance. The Swiss driver, who was only able to clock up a few test kilometres before the start of the season, describes the switch to the GT3 cockpit as a leap into the deep end. ‘I had never driven a racing car with ABS before – that was really a big adjustment for me. Compared to the LMP2 car, a GT3 car is naturally heavier and has less aerodynamics, which requires a different driving style.’
Scherer’s recent results confirm that he can hold his own in the highly competitive DTM field. Even though the racing series differs from his usual environment, he has clearly made a successful transition to the GT3 class. ‘You can’t compare a race weekend in the DTM with the WEC or ELMS,’ said Scherer when asked about striking differences. ‘In addition to a few PR appointments, we have qualifying and races on both Saturday and Sunday in the DTM, where you always drive at the limit. In endurance racing, the trick is to read the race and put your foot down at the right moment. In the DTM, on the other hand, every lap is full throttle – whether it’s an outlap or an inlap.’
Future: DTM and Le Mans firmly in sight
Whether it’s WEC, IMSA or VLN – Fabio Scherer’s race car, the Ford Mustang GT3, has become an integral part of endurance racing. The Ford driver is also keeping an eye on this development with a view to the future.
‘There’s nothing better than being able to race in the DTM with a car like this! And to be able to compete in this racing series as a Swiss driver is a great feeling. The DTM is still the DTM – the magic of the racing series is back, and I’m enjoying every second I get to drive.’
‘It would be really cool to be the first Swiss driver to win the DTM championship. Of course, the WEC is also a fantastic racing series, and Le Mans, the Nürburgring and Spa are events that I would like to win in the overall standings. But the DTM has a special meaning for me personally.’
It remains to be seen whether we will see Scherer in a Ford in endurance racing in the future. However, talks are said to have already taken place. His next stops in the DTM are the Red Bull Ring (12 to 14 September 2025) and the Hockenheimring (3 to 5 October 2025), which will be attended by numerous fans from Switzerland.
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