Joel Sturm

Joel Sturm (born 29 November 2001) is a German racing driver currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Manthey Pure Rxcing.

Early career
Having begun his career in karts at the age of eight, Sturm progressed into racing cars in 2020, driving for Allied-Racing in the ADAC GT4 Germany. With Dennis Fetzer as his teammate, Sturm managed to score a podium at the season-finale and ended up seventh in the standings. The following year saw Sturm enter the GT4 European Series. He scored his first victory in sportscar racing at Spa-Francorchamps before winning in Barcelona, earning himself sixth place overall. Additionally, three rounds in ADAC GT4 yielded a win in Hockenheim, and Sturm finished third in class at that year's 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

GT3 career
Sturm progressed into GT3 competition in 2022, partnering Sven Müller at Allied Racing in the ADAC GT Masters. The pair finished tenth in the championship, helped there by two podiums at the Nürburgring. In parallel, the German competed in the Silver Cup class of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, though he and his teammates would only score a best overall finish of 29th.

After attaining one win each in the Middle East Trophy and Asian Le Mans Series over the winter, Sturm would join Pure Rxcing for a full campaign in the Bronze Cup class of the GTWC Endurance Cup, pairing up with Klaus Bachler and bronze-ranked Alex Malykhin. Despite winning the first race in class at Le Castellet and finishing second at the 24 Hours of Spa, two retirements would jeopardise Pure Rxcing's campaign, as they finished fifth in the Bronze Cup standings. During the 2023-24 winter however, Sturm and his teammates would make good on the promise they'd shown over their European campaign, as they won the Asian Le Mans Series with two race victories and a further podium.

The 2024 season saw Sturm, Pure Rxcing, and his 2023 teammates stepping into the newly formed LMGT3 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, as well as fielding a Pro-rated entry in the Endurance Cup. Their season in the former started out in extraordinary fashion, as a strong opening run from Malykhin allowed Sturm and Bachler to maintain their advantage to win the Qatar 1812 km race. Two further podiums followed, as Sturm and his teammates finished third to the WRT-duo at Imola before losing out on victory in Spa to their sister car on the final lap.

Complete ADAC GT4 Germany results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete GT4 European Series results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete ADAC GT Masters results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup results
(Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete Asian Le Mans Series results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

 * Season still in progress.