Benji Goethe has been a familiar face in the GT paddocks around the world for many years, with the 21-year-old German driver making his mark in 2022 by securing the GT World Challenge Endurance Silver title with Team WRT in an Audi R8.
The son of endurance legend Roald Goethe, Benji switched to McLaren in 2023 with Garage 59 and now with Optimum Motorsport where he is joined by Andrew Gilbert and Fran Rueda in the no27 McLaren 720S GT3.
The team finished outside the top 10 in both races in Sepang and will be looking for a better performance and results in the two races being held in Dubai on the 8th and 9th February.
We caught up with Benji Goethe after the Christmas break as he and the Optimum Motorsport team prepare for the final two events of the 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series in the UAE.
Q: While the results in Sepang were not what you and the team wanted, what were the positives you took away from the opening two races in Malaysia?
Benji Goethe: “We have a strong lineup with the pace between the three of us. Sepang wasn’t the easiest, we felt a little on the back foot compared to the other cars, so hopefully for the next few rounds we can improve and progress.”
Q: Tell us more about your teammates Fran Rueda and Andrew Gilbert. Have you raced with either of them before and how are you gelling as a team?
BG: “I’d never raced with either Fran or Andrew, but it’s been a pleasure to work with them so far. They’re both very quick drivers and I’m already looking forward to the next few rounds with them.”
Q: The 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series has attracted a huge grid of GT3 machinery. What do you think of the level of competition you are facing in the series this season?
BG: “The Asian Le Mans is a very high-level series; it’s one of the main winter series we compete in, and you have a lot of quick drivers here. There’s lots of great teams, so it can often be tough to get a good result but it’s always great to race against the best.”
Q: Looking ahead to the next race in Dubai, where you finished 4th in the second race of the 2023 season. What are your thoughts on the track?
BG: “Dubai is a track I’ve driven a lot and know quite well. I really like the track and think that the car suits it very well. So, hopefully, we can get some good results in February.”
