Flavia Pellegrino Fernandes

Flavia Pellegrino Fernandes is a Brazilian-German racing driver who carved out her place in the brutal arena of Nürburgring endurance racing—and took home the 2023 Ladies’ Trophy to prove it.

EARLY YEARS

Born in December 1982 in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil, Flavia grew up in the heart of Brazil’s industrial automotive belt—a fitting origin for a woman who would eventually make her living testing the limits of both tires and her own nerve. She moved to Germany in January 2011, settling in Kottenheim, near Koblenz, where she began working as a test driver in the tire industry. It was a job that required precision, patience, and a feel for what happens when rubber meets asphalt at high speed—all skills that would serve her well when she decided to start racing competitively.

The transition from test driver to racer wasn’t a leap—it was a logical, calculated progression. She already knew how cars behaved under stress. She understood grip, balance, and how to read feedback through the wheel. Racing was simply the next gear up.

OTHER INTERESTS

Flavia’s dual Brazilian and German nationality reflects a life shaped by two cultures, two languages, and two approaches to motorsport. Her career in the tire industry isn’t just a day job—it’s where her technical understanding of vehicle dynamics deepens. She’s spent years analyzing performance data, tire degradation, and handling characteristics, knowledge that translates directly to racecraft. When she’s not racing or testing, she’s still thinking about cars—because for her, it’s never been just a hobby.

EARLY SUCCESS

Flavia began competing in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), one of the most demanding endurance racing environments in the world. The Nürburgring Nordschleife—affectionately known as the Green Hell—is a 12.9-mile ribbon of tarmac that punishes mistakes and rewards those who can maintain focus lap after lap. She raced primarily in the V4 class, piloting a BMW 325i for Keeevin Sports and Racing, and quickly proved she wasn’t there to make up the numbers.

In 2023, she finished second in class at the NLS 6-hour race alongside Eifelkind Racing, a result that underscored her consistency and racecraft. But the real validation came at season’s end when she was crowned the fastest lady of the 2023 NLS season, earning the Ladies’ Trophy as the best female racing driver of the year. It wasn’t handed to her—she earned it through relentless pace and clean driving in one of the toughest racing series on the planet.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2023: Won the Ladies’ Trophy (fastest female driver) in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie[1].
• 2023: Secured second place in the V4 class at the NLS 6-hour race driving a BMW 325i[2].
• 2024: Scored a class podium in the V4 class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours[3].
• 2024: Competed in eight races with two wins and six podium finishes[4].
• 2024: Continued competing in the NLS series, maintaining her position among the top female drivers in endurance racing[5].

INSPIRATIONS

While specific inspirations aren’t publicly documented, Flavia’s background as a Brazilian driver competing in Germany speaks to a respect for racing heritage on both sides of the Atlantic. Her career path—rooted in technical expertise rather than karting pedigree—suggests she’s driven by a love of the engineering and precision that underpin fast lap times, not just the glory of the podium.

REPUTATION

Flavia is known for being fast, focused, and technically sharp. She’s not the loudest voice in the paddock, but she’s one of the most respected. Her dual role as a tire industry professional and competitive racer gives her a rare edge—she understands what’s happening beneath the car in ways that many drivers don’t. Competitors and teammates alike recognize her consistency and her ability to extract performance from machinery that isn’t always the most competitive. In a series as unforgiving as the NLS, where cars range from GT3 monsters to near-stock sedans, she’s proven she can run with the best in her class and walk away with hardware.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

In 2025, Flavia continued to compete in both the NLS and the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. She achieved third place in the Ladies’ Trophy, though her focus shifted more heavily toward her professional work in the tire industry. While racing remains a priority, her goals now balance competitive ambition with career commitments—a reality for many privateer racers at this level. She’s proven she can win; now it’s about finding the time and budget to do it again.

REFERENCES

[1] Flavia Pellegrino Fernandes Official Website
[2] Flavia Pellegrino Fernandes Official Website – Achievements
[3] Girls Only team secures class podium at Nürburgring 24H
[4] Flavia Pellegrino Fernandes Racing Career Profile
[5] Adrenalin Motorsport wins sixth NLS title in a row
[6] Driver Database: Flavia Pellegrino Fernandes
[7] Showdown in the Green Hell