nicki thiim
If not a racing driver, then what would you be?
I would be a soccer player for sure. I was quite good at it, but you can’t do both careers at once. So when racing took so much time I had to choose. With an age of 15 years and my father as my great idol the decision was clear that I’ll choose racing and I’m happy with my decision.
Do you have any pre-race superstitions?
I do a lot of training and I love it because I can be myself and I can get into the right mind-set. I believe that 70-80% of this business is mental strength. It’s always important to find out what’s good for you and what makes you perform better. Besides that, I love video games, gaming is one of my favourite things. I’m playing games since I was a little boy. No matter if it’s a shooter with friends or sim racing against others. Simulators are so well developed these days and its fantastic to chat with the fans. It’s a lot of fun and good vibes which are important to have when race week starts.
Who do you admire the most?
My father of course. Back in the day things where a bit different. When he started he had absolutely nothing and made it to the very top in motorsports. His story is absolutely inspiring. He definitely should write a book because his story is really amazing.
Behind every strong man is a strong woman in this case my mother. I admire her unbreakable positive spirit. She was always there for me when my dad was gone racing. He was only home 40-60 days a year, so she had to take care of the crazy little boy.
What is you favourite circuit?
As anyone else I’d say the Nordschleife. But I don’t consider it as something for ‘normal human beings’ (laughs). But as a ‘normal’ race track I’d say it’s definitely Mugello. It’s just amazing there. It’s an old school track with fast corners. Everything I can find love as a driver in Mugello. Unfortunately, I was racing there just once but I hope that’ll change in the future.
Who do you admire the most?
My father of course. Back in the day things where a bit different. When he started he had absolutely nothing and made it to the very top in motorsports. His story is absolutely inspiring. He definitely should write a book because his story is really amazing.
Behind every strong man is a strong woman in this case my mother. I admire her unbreakable positive spirit. She was always there for me when my dad was gone racing. He was only home 40-60 days a year, so she had to take care of the crazy little boy.
What is you favourite circuit?
As anyone else I’d say the Nordschleife. But I don’t consider it as something for ‘normal human beings’ (laughs). But as a ‘normal’ race track I’d say it’s definitely Mugello. It’s just amazing there. It’s an old school track with fast corners. Everything I can find love as a driver in Mugello. Unfortunately, I was racing there just once but I hope that’ll change in the future.
Favourite Food?
I love Italian food and south American food. But most importantly Danish food. Every time I’m home in Denmark my mother cooks all the special Danish things which makes coming home even better.
Which series would you most like to race in?
No doubt DTM! That’s what I grew up with watching my father competing during the golden age of the series. I am absolutely sure that this was the best era of the sport and will never be the same like in the 90s. Absolutely fantastic times. I collect every video I can find from this time and watched them so many times and say to myself: this is what I want to do. This is where I want to be! F1 was never on my mind. Maybe DTM is for some people nothing special but I definitely want to follow my hero’s footsteps there. But for me there’s no reason to complain. I’m driving the world championship for an absolutely amazing brand with a lot of history: Aston Martin - one of the best manufacturers in the world. Saying no to Audi and becoming one of the few people in the world that could call themselves Aston Martin Works driver it’s a thing that I’m very proud of! That’s just how I am I have my own goals. I’m not in this for the money I do what I love.
Most memorable racing moment?
When I won the Porsche supercup championship in Abu Dhabi. My dear friend Sean, with whom I won the 24-hour race on the Nurburgring, died a few weeks before that which made this race something very different from all the others. To win both races and to take the championship honouring the life of Sean Edwards was really one of the most emotional moments of my career so far. People say to always keep the positive things in your memory. There’s nothing positive about Sean's passing, but I had the privilege to race against and with him sharing the same car. He was a wonderful person and a blessing to many. The 2013 season had many ups and downs but I would not be where I am today without the achievements made that year.
What road car do you drive?
Of course I have an Aston Martin. V8 Vantage. Fantastic car: looks good, smells good and sounds incredible. Aston Martins are something very special. These cars are very exclusive not something that you see all the time like a Porsche or Ferrari. An Aston is just an incredible brand and I love all their cars.
Do you have any tattoos?
I've got nothing to be ashamed of. I love tattoos. I love them and I want more of them. Ink on your body is good as long it means something to you. My first one was on my shoulder from one of the greatest characters in racing history - its Ayrton Senna’s signature. Then I have his “Racing, competing, it's in my blood. It's part of me, it's part of my life; I have been doing it all my life and it stands out above everything else.” quote on my left shoulder down the arm and I’m really happy about it. And on my back, as a proud Thiim, I got my last name ‘stitched’ across my back - it looks really cool and I love it!
