Kessel Racing was founded by Loris Kessel, a Swiss racing driver who was active in Formula 1 as well as in endurance and touring car racing before dedicating himself to building his own racing team. From this driver career emerged a team that from the outset combined Italian flair with Swiss principles, a combination that defines the identity of the outfit to this day. Over the decades, Kessel Racing has evolved from a small private team into a fixture in GT and endurance racing, competing in numerous national and international series.
One chapter that particularly distinguishes the team is its location in Locarno-Muralto in Ticino, situated directly on the shores of Lake Maggiore. This location, unusual for a racing team, gives the workshop and driver paddock an atmosphere rarely found in the otherwise industrially-focused world of motorsport. Mechanics and guests speak to this day of the connection between alpine tranquility and the hustle of racing operations, a contrast that has become the team’s trademark and provides recognition among fans and partners alike.
The most successful phase in the team’s history was closely tied to its rise into the GT3 and GTE categories, in which Kessel Racing regularly competed with Ferrari vehicles. During this period, the team established itself as a reliable partner for ambitious gentleman drivers and professional pilots alike, competing for class victories and podium finishes in various endurance series. The combination of solid engineering, experienced race craft, and a seasoned mechanic team made the outfit a fixture on the European GT calendar.
In the current era, the team continues its long-standing philosophy, with vehicle preparation and race engineering remaining at its headquarters in Locarno-Muralto. The current driver pairing consists of experienced GT pilots representing the team in the FIA WEC, drawing on the organization’s grown expertise in handling Ferrari customer racing vehicles. The focus is on combining continuity with fresh momentum, thereby building on the racing team’s tradition.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the team’s ambition is directed at further solidifying its position in the GT field of the FIA WEC and building on earlier successes. The mix of experience, technical know-how, and the distinctive location identity at Lake Maggiore is intended to continue serving as the foundation upon which the team writes its next chapters.
Kessel Racing in the News