Carrie Schreiner on being born into motorsport and forging her own path in GT racing

Many drivers would tell you that reaching Formula 1 is their dream. However, it doesn’t mean that they are not passionate about other motorsport series, such as GT racing. Trying to pursue a career in both can be difficult, but Carrie Schreiner explained to Females in Motorsport how she gets to experience both worlds and how it helps to elevate her career.

Schreiner is a GT driver, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber Team Brand Ambassador, and a former F1 Academy driver (2023-2024). The 26-year-old has raced in many different championships which have made for so many stand out moments in her career, and be rest assured there is more to come. 

The German driver is now ready to compete in another season of ADAC GT Masters, in which she already obtained a podium back in 2019, making her the youngest woman to do so. Before the season kicks off, Schreiner spoke to Females in Motorsport about her racing journey so far and her career highlights to date.

Schreiner got involved in karting from a very young age and has worked her way up the motorsport ranks in Germany.

“I started motorsport when I was 10-years-old in karting,” she tells Females in Motorsport. “My dad was a racing driver, so I grew up on race tracks and I was always travelling around. I was born into this.”

Carrie Schreiner returned to GT3 Racing this year

Returning to GT3

Switching motorsport series can be a challenge because the cars are different, the type of racing also varies and one needs to take time to adapt. 

“I drove GT cars from 2017 to two years ago, so to get back to a single-seater it was super difficult because suddenly the car is much lighter,” she says. “You have no ABS and no traction control. The corner speeds are higher. So this was difficult but not the other way round.I’ve learned so much that it’s easier if I go back. I feel like I’m a better driver now.”

To prepare for the upcoming season, Schreiner raced in the final three rounds of the GT Winter Series, which took place in Spain. She raced with Konrad Motorsport, in a Lamborghini Huracán Evo GT3, alongside American driver Danny Soufi.

Schreiner had a great comeback to the discipline in Valencia where she earned herself an overall podium and two class wins. She finished off the series with another podium in Barcelona - making her return to the series a success. 

“It was really good for me to drive in these races as preparation for my main programme,” she says. “So I could already show that it isn’t difficult for me to get back into a GT car. It gave me the confidence to have a good season.”

Schreiner celebrates her podium finish in Barcelona

Schreiner’s experience in F1 Academy

In 2022, Schreiner was approached by ART Grand Prix about competing in the new all-female series that was going to kick off in 2023, known as F1 Academy. The German driver was doubtful about whether she should compete in single-seater again, but how can someone miss an opportunity to travel the world during Formula 1 weekends?

“In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I should do it because I’m a GT driver and suddenly I should go back to single seater… normally it makes no sense,” Schreiner says. “But this offer, I couldn’t deny. I’m really happy that I did F1 Academy.I learned so much, I could drive in F1 weekends, I got the contract with Sauber. I got so many opportunities because of F1 Academy, so I’m really happy about it.”

Schreiner not only gained many opportunities but she also earned one of her career highlights when she won Race 2 in Zandvoort in the 2023 season. The following year she also had her best season finish in ninth place in the standings. After completing two years in the series, Schreiner has remained with Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber in 2025 as a Team Brand Ambassador.

In this role, Schreiner spends a lot of time with their current F1 Academy driver, Emma Felbermayr. Carrie reflected on Jeddah this year and said when she was with her [Emma] on the grid, she even got a flashback to that incredible day. Felbermayr started on the first row during Race 1 in Jeddah.

“It was similar to me in Zandvoort two years ago,” Schreiner says. “I was starting from the front row, second position, and then winning the race. It was an amazing feeling because in the end it was not that easy but I got better from race to race and then suddenly I was able to win one. I was really, really happy about it.”

Carrie Schreiner raced in F1 Academy for two years (2023 - 2024)

Like all racing series, F1 Academy had obstacles which Schreiner had to overcome. She admitted that at first, the many media activities she had to take part in felt quite intense and driving wise, there were other aspects she had to learn about that have made her a better driver.

“It was quite a lot,” she says. “I got a little bit better at this point. Driving wise, as I said the corner speed was much higher. I had so much driving time, so when I got back to GT cars, I became better at every point. I got better at nearly everything.”

F1 Academy gives drivers the opportunity to compete in the series for two years. Having completed two years, Schreiner had to see her time as a racing driver in F1 Academy come to an end. 

“I’m working with the team, I’m doing content,” she says. “I try to represent team members, maybe I handle some partners, maybe I would take care of Emma. 

“So if she has any questions, I would be there for her or just be there as a friend where she can always come to me during her race weekends. And I’m still new in that role, so we’re still finding what good I can do, but so far it’s going really well.”

Carrie Schreiner is now a Brand Ambassador for Sauber

The Formula E Women’s Test

Last year, ABB FIA Formula E held the first-ever all-female test at the Circuito del Jarama in Madrid. For three hours, Schreiner had the opportunity to test out the Maserati before the season kicked off.

Schreiner admitted that she wouldn’t go back to formula racing because at age 26, it’s “not realistic,” however, she would drive in Formula E again.

“It was really cool, especially to work with a factory team,” Schreiner says. “It was cool to be a part of it. Then the car was nice to drive, it was super quick in the straights. Of course, it’s different because in the test, the tyres were profiled. But it was fun, it was short, we only had a few hours, so we couldn’t drive as much, but it was really cool.”

What’s next?

Schreiner has a career full of pinch me moments such as a podium in GT Masters, her F1 Academy win and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship win - but it doesn’t stop there.

In her role as Team Brand Ambassador for Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber and the upcoming GT Masters season, Schreiner has so much to look forward to. 

For her, all focus is now on the first round of the ADAC GT Masters which will be between May 23-25 at the Dekra Lausitzring. The upcoming Season has six rounds and will conclude on October 5th at the Hockenheimring Baden-Wurttemberg.

Image Credit: Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber