How Tim Tramnitz plans to follow idol Sebastian Vettel to Formula 1’s starting grid

Becoming a racing driver is a dream that many young boys and men have, but few achieve. For Hamburg-born Tim, the dream has come true. But it is not without a great deal of sacrifice and a lot of hard work. “I started karting when I was six years old. First, in some small local championships and later in important national and international categories. I’ve loved motorsport, especially Formula 1, since I’ve been very young and I have always been motivated to become as good a racing driver as my idols.” That motivation has certainly paid off and Tim is now sponsored by Red Bull, whose F1 racing team has won no less than six world championship constructor titles and eight drivers’ titles. In October 2023, Tim joined the illustrious Red Bull Junior Team. The move not only put him on a possible path to the top tier of single-seat racing, but  also placed him in the footsteps of F1 legends such as Max Verstappen and Germany’s own Sebastian Vettel. It’s an honour that is not lost on Tim: “Sebastian Vettel has been my idol since I started to follow racing,” he acknowledges.

Hard work on and off the track

But even after 14 years of working his way up the slippery slope of competition that has included karting, the Formula 4 series and a spell with R-ace GP, the hard work is only just beginning, and Tim knows that he needs to pull out all the stops if he is to earn a position on an F1 starting grid. “My days are filled with  fitness and training, simulator work and more – so normal days off-track are more like office working days. Race days include a lot of work with engineers and mechanics,” he adds. His dedication is starting to pay off though. In 2024, his first ‘rookie’ year with Red Bull in F3, Tim scored an amazing three podium finishes with a victory in Monza, second place in Imola and a stunning fightback from 13th place to take third in Bahrain. “I hope there are many more good races to come. Currently I’m very happy about the sprint race win in Imola. Most important for me is to fight for the title and to show that I’m ready for the next step, which means F2.” 

Tim’s aim is to make the next move on the ladder to F1 next year, with a good result in this year’s F3 championship. That said, he is aware his success depends on much more than just his own ability. He knows that having the backing of a name such as Red Bull behind him is a huge advantage and he acknowledges that they are helping him to improve step-by-step. “It is very important that you learn to work with the team, especially the engineers. Furthermore, this gives you knowledge about how a good set up works. Lastly, this is important as you need to gain Super Licence points, which you will need to enter F1.”

Making a name as a TV expert

As if he didn’t have enough to do as a rising star of racing, Tim also has a side hustle as a TV pundit on Sky Sports, a career that he does not completely rule out continuing. “Hopefully I will be driving in the categories that I am commentating on in the future. I enjoy it and can imagine continuing with it.”

But for now, Tim has his eye on the current season and a move next year that will take him closer to his goal of lining up with the world’s F1 pilots on the globe’s most famous tracks. 

We at Niterra will certainly be following his career with interest, and wish him every success for the future as we look forward to more and more of his podium finishes!