Junior Formula driver Sophia Floersch turns Stateside for her next racing endeavor, as she joins HMD Motorsports for the 2025 season in Indy NXT.
A 24-year-old from Grünwald, Germany, Floersch is making the move to North America as part of a switch to the top developmental category for the IndyCar Series following an extended run in several series — mostly junior formula — throughout Europe. She had her maiden outing in Indy NXT machinery last month with HMD Motorsports in a series test at Barber Motorsports Park, where her pace progressed throughout the 92 laps logged.
“I’m excited about joining HMD Motorsports and coming to the United States to race in the Indy NXT by Firestone Series,” expressed Floersch. “My aspiration has always been to race with the best of the best. From the beginning of my career, I’ve worked very hard with my team daily towards that goal. I’ve raced in different categories in most of the racing markets in the world. It was only natural for us to try the US now, as it is the biggest racing market worldwide.”
Floersch becomes the second female to be confirmed by HMD Motorsports for next season, teaming alongside former NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Hailie Deegan. Both are undoubtedly aiming to hit the heights reached this past season by Jamie Chadwick, who became the first woman to win an Indy NXT race on a road or street circuit in a flag-to-flag performance from pole at Road America with Andretti Global. Additionally, no woman had previously earned pole on a road or street circuit in the series. Chadwick was also the third-ever female winner in Indy NXT, joining Pippa Mann and Ana Beatriz, who both won on ovals.
“The United States is more open to embracing a female racer, so this makes me very excited and optimistic about the things to come,” Floersch said. “The sport, the racing, the cars, and the tracks are real and pure. It's great to be welcomed so positively and friendly. You can feel the real racer energy inside HMD Motorsports. I can hardly wait and will be very happy when it starts in March in St. Pete.”
With the addition of Floersch, HMD Motorsports now has seven drivers confirmed for the entire 14-race schedule in Indy NXT for 2025.
Floersch spent the last two seasons in Formula 3, earning a best result of seventh at Spa-Francorchamps in 2023. She also contested the 2020 campaign in F3, but ended up contesting the following year in DTM and the FIA World Endurance Championship. Additionally, she finished ninth in class (LMP2) and 13th overall as part of an all-female cast in the 2020 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“We are excited to have Sophia confirmed for Indy NXT in 2025,” said HMD Team President Mike Maurini. “She has a great team behind her, and we feel she will be able to make waves in North America. With her ultimate goal to advance to the NTT IndyCar Series, we look forward to helping her improve and achieve success in Indy NXT and help try to advance her career to the next level.”
