Status: 16.01.2024, 15:50 PM
By: Nico-Marius Schmitz
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© IMG_2496.jpg Breaking new ground in motorsport: Laura-Marie Geissler.
Laura-Marie Geissler doesn't just want to race in motorsport, she wants to spread a message. In doing so, she fights against resistance and old problems. Our interview with the 25-year-old.
Munich-based racing driver Laura-Marie Geissler (including a first and third place in the Porsche Sprint Challenge in 2021) had had enough of the sponsorship system in motorsport. And developed an innovative system with the help of cryptocurrency. But the plan didn't work out. In an interview with our newspaper, the 25-year-old talks about failure, a cramped situation and new paths.
Laura-Marie Geissler, how did your year 2023 go?
It's been a very difficult year for me. I had a few projects in the pipeline, and the bear market shattered 99 percent of the time. I just managed to do a race. I had to completely reposition myself.
They had developed an innovative sponsorship concept for motorsport. Can you explain that again?
I've always had problems with sponsorship concepts. A lot of sponsors wanted me just because of the looks. I never got the demand about how good the car is or how well positioned I am. They wanted PR because I'm the only woman. As an athlete, that didn't help me. But giving up was not an option for me. I threw the sponsors off the car and drew attention to objectification with the design. I then digitized the car as an NFT (a digital work of art, editor's note). People who buy the NFT have supported me and at the same time got exclusive insights into my motorsport life.
And then came the crash of cryptocurrency ...
I had the money lying around as cryptocurrency, and the money was getting less and less. Also the money I still had over from last year. And no one wanted to buy anything anymore. As a result, I was able to repay less and less debt. It was clear to me that the whole thing was volatile and that I could get into trouble. I've already prepared myself mentally for it. But I didn't think it would happen so quickly.
You've designed a new car again, what's the idea behind it?
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The car is placed in shackles that are intended to visualize narrowed social norms. And restrictive sponsorship contracts. When I was designing the car, I was in complete shock because of the NFT issues. The car is as tied up as I am in the complete structure. The situation was cramped. Of course, you asked yourself: Why are you still doing all this fuss? Why don't you stop? It was clear to me that it wasn't about setting the fastest lap time. Because there are simply people who are better. There are also always people with more money.
What is it all about?
Everyone is always talking about how we need more women in motorsport. But no one is doing anything about it. It starts with mundane things like a matching racing suit for women. Nobody supports people like me. The motto is "Race your Voice". I want to raise my voice and draw attention to the problems. I want to use motorsport for something higher. Otherwise, it's very flat to always ride for the same sponsors who aren't interested in you anyway.
Your approach has also been praised from many quarters, including making it onto the Forbes "30 under 30" list.
Forbes was the craziest thing I ever wanted to achieve. You have to be realistic: I just don't have the training to set the fastest lap time. I don't know what goal I'm trying to pursue. But I have my head. And I want to secure the basics so that I can drive at Le Mans at some point. To do this, the economic aspects must first be right. And now I have to build that up in a stable and sustainable way.
What will you take away from 2023?
I've learned to persevere. With the tech component, I'm in a super dynamic market. Every second idea throws it over the top right away. I was scared that year. The year before last, I implemented a cool project that I was able to benefit from in people's perceptions this year. This year I wasn't able to implement a cool project, the car didn't start enough. How does this translate into 2024? How many people did I lose as a result? How many people have I been able to please? It's possible that I'll really get another slap in the face next year.
You talk very openly about your situation. Have you sought help from a mental coach to process all of this?
After all, a mental coach costs money. I just have to hold on to it somehow and keep my financial situation stable. Why am I talking so openly about it? Only with open cards can people understand why certain things went the way they did. Should I always say: Hey, everything was great? Let's make mistakes, let's learn from them. I will stay in motorsport, I always want to bring a positive thought into it. I want to involve women. The rest will remain difficult, probably going down the drain again. But I firmly believe that at some point I will enjoy this project 100 percent.
Interview: Nico-Marius Schmitz