In Profile: Oliver Goethe

15 May 2023

Oliver Goethe made a fast start in FIA Formula 3 with two cameo appearances during the 2022 season, and he’s continued that with Trident at the start of his first full campaign.

Ahead of Imola, the 18-year-old took some time out of his preparations to answer a few vital questions to help get to know him a little bit more.

FIRST RACING MEMORY?

“My first racing memory was obviously in karting. I was in a rental kart when I was five, I remember I couldn’t reach the pedals properly, so they didn’t allow me to race. But I kept pretending that I was bigger than I was to try and get them to let me race. It was at a track near St Tropez. I went on holiday with my family and went to a karting track nearby where we were staying. I think they let me eventually but not the first few times.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RACING STYLE?

“I feel like I’m quite aggressive in the races, hopefully not too aggressive so I don’t get a lot of DNFs. I do my best to be aggressive when it’s best to be.”

WHO IS YOUR RACING HERO?

“I don’t really have on in particular but right now, I look up to Max Verstappen. I really like his attitude and obviously he’s really really good at the moment. I like a bit of everything really. I love his driving style, he’s really fast and then his attitude outside the track – it’s not a favourite for a lot of people but I really like it.”

BIGGEST RACING ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

“Probably last year when I won Euroformula Open. It was my first Championship win in a racing car, so definitely that. I’m carrying a lot of confidence from last year, also throughout last year I gained a lot of confidence. The year before that was not the best, so I feel like last year has really helped with confidence levels.”

BEST THING ABOUT BEING A RACING DRIVER?

“The best thing about being a racing driver is driving racing cars! For me, it’s actually just driving the cars. It’s really fun, the adrenaline and stuff, I really like it.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS?

“I have a couple. My best is probably doing a Rubik’s Cube in like 45 seconds or something. A random talent. Apart from that, I can play piano as well.”

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM RACING?

“When I’m not racing I have school, so that’s not the most relaxing thing. But, I love playing sports, to relax and not think about anything. I like training and love playing sports. I play football and love playing those sorts of sports to relax.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE F3 CALENDAR?

“That would be Spa-Francorchamps. It’s probably been one of my better tracks so far in my career. Last year things went really really well there in F3 and Euroformula. Hopefully even more this year.”