Christina Nielsen

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  Danish racing driver Christina Nielsen made history as the first woman to win a major full-season North American sports car championship, claiming back-to-back IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD titles in 2016 and 2017.

  EARLY YEARS

  Born in Helsingør, Denmark, Christina grew up immersed in motorsport culture thanks to her father, Lars-Erik Nielsen, who competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1989 and 1990. Weekends meant traveling to circuits across Europe, where she absorbed the discipline of racing before she could tie her shoes. By age 12, she traded spectating for competing, launching her karting career at tracks like Jyllands-Ringen. Though soft-spoken off the track, her early years revealed a fierce competitor who thrived under pressure—a trait she credits to her father’s mentorship.

  EARLY SUCCESS

  Christina’s methodical and calculated racing style became evident early in her career as she developed strong skills in GT racing. Her attention to consistency and tire management during endurance events helped her transition from karting to professional sports car competition. Before her championship success, she demonstrated her potential with strong performances in prestigious endurance races, laying the groundwork for her historic achievements.

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2016: Won the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona (GTD) class title driving the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3, becoming the first female driver to secure a full-season championship in IMSA history[1].
  • 2017: Earned back-to-back IMSA GTD championships with Scuderia Corsa, marking the first time a woman won consecutive titles in IMSA[2].
  • 2016: Secured 2nd in the GTD class at the 24 Hours of Daytona with Scuderia Corsa[3].
  • 2017: Finished 3rd in the GTD class at the 24 Hours of Daytona and 2nd in the GTD class at the 12 Hours of Sebring with Scuderia Corsa[4].
  • 2015: Finished 3rd in the GTD class at Petit Le Mans with TRG-AMR[5].

  REPUTATION

  Throughout her career, Christina has earned respect within the motorsports community for her consistent performances and ability to secure podium finishes in prestigious endurance races. While recognized as an ambassador for women in motorsports, she has consistently emphasized being valued for her racing abilities rather than her gender. Her professional approach, championship success, and methodical racing style have established her as a respected figure in sports car racing, particularly for her skills in Ferrari and Porsche machinery.

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  References:

  IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Records
  IMSA Championship Archives
  Racing Reference Statistics
  IMSA Race Results Database
  IMSA Petit Le Mans Results