German driver Viviann Ehrl made her car racing debut in the 2025 NXT Gen Cup season, becoming part of an all-electric touring car championship that put her on the grid alongside her brother Bennet—making them one of motorsport’s rare sibling duos competing in the same series.

EARLY YEARS

Viviann grew up immersed in automotive culture, spending her formative years around her family’s car dealership in Germany. While most kids were figuring out what they wanted to be when they grew up, she was already knee-deep in the world of vehicles—learning the business from the ground up and developing an early passion for anything with four wheels and an engine. Her brother Bennet also caught the racing bug, setting up what would become a sibling rivalry on the grid.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the track, Viviann has mentioned exploring interests outside of motorsport, though specific details about her hobbies remain largely private. Like many young racers balancing the demands of competition, she’s focused primarily on developing her driving career while maintaining connections to the automotive business that shaped her childhood.

EARLY SUCCESS

Ehrl’s entry into professional racing came with the 2025 NXT Gen Cup season, where she competed in the world’s first fully electric junior touring car championship. She raced identical electric MINI Cooper chassis against a competitive field at four German circuits: Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (April 25-27), the Norisring, Sachsenring, and the Lausitzring. Her rookie campaign was challenging—she managed to score points on only three occasions throughout the season, finding herself toward the back of a highly competitive grid. During the official pre-season test at Gelleråsen, she posted a fastest lap time of 1:20.118, showing promise but also revealing the steep learning curve ahead.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2025: Made her official car racing debut in the NXT Gen Cup, competing in rounds 1-3 of the all-electric touring car championship.
• 2025: Became part of the first brother-sister racing duo in NXT Gen Cup history alongside Bennet Ehrl.
• 2025: Scored championship points on three occasions during her rookie season.

INSPIRATIONS

Growing up in her family’s car dealership provided the foundation for Viviann’s racing ambitions. The automotive world wasn’t just a career path—it was a family business, a daily reality, and eventually, a calling. Watching vehicles come and go, understanding their mechanics and appeal, and being surrounded by people passionate about cars gave her both the knowledge and the drive to transition from selling them to racing them.

REPUTATION

Ehrl entered the NXT Gen Cup with enthusiasm but quickly learned that electric touring car racing doesn’t hand out participation trophies. Her rookie season was a reality check—challenging, humbling, and exactly what a first year in professional motorsport should be. She faced steep competition from more experienced drivers like championship winner Lukas Stiefelhagen, who dominated the season, and other talented rookies who adapted more quickly to the electric format. The NXT Gen Cup’s structure—featuring four races per weekend with identical cars—meant there was nowhere to hide and no mechanical advantages to lean on. It was pure driving skill, racecraft, and adaptability. For Viviann, the season was less about glory and more about gaining valuable race mileage and learning what it takes to compete at this level.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

After a difficult rookie campaign, the path forward for Viviann will depend on whether she continues in the NXT Gen Cup or explores other racing opportunities. Her limited participation in rounds 1-3 of the 2025 season suggests potential schedule conflicts or a strategic decision to gain experience before committing to a full season. The skills she’s developing in electric touring cars—managing energy deployment, mastering close-quarters racing, and understanding the unique dynamics of instant torque—will serve her well regardless of where she competes next. Whether she returns for a second NXT Gen Cup season or transitions to another series, she’s already proven she’s willing to take on the challenge of racing in a male-dominated field.

REFERENCES

Viviann Ehrl set for NXT Gen Cup rookie campaign – NXT Gen Cup
Viviann Ehrl joins NXT Gen Cup for 2025 Rookie Campaign – Racers Behind the Helmet
The Drivers – NXT Gen Cup
Viviann Ehrl set for NXT Gen Cup rookie campaign – Electric Motor News
NXT Gen Cup 2025 season review: Stiefelhagen’s dominance – E-Formula News
2025 NXT Gen Cup season – Wikipedia
NXT Gen Cup kicks off 2025 season with four-race weekend at Oschersleben – NXT Gen Cup
Siri Hökfelt and Patricija Stalidzane make history in NXT Gen Cup at Sachsenring – Racers Behind the Helmet
Lukas Stiefelhagen tops official pre-season test at Gelleråsen – NXT Gen Cup
Viviann Ehrl – Female Touring Racer – Race Like a GRRL