Mikkel Pedersen
NationalityDenmark Danish
Full nameMikkel Overgaard Pedersen
Born (1997-01-26) 26 January 1997
Struer, Denmark
FIA World Endurance Championship career
Debut season2022
Current teamDempsey-Proton Racing
Racing licence FIA Silver
Car number77
Former teamsTeam Project 1
Starts13
Wins2
Podiums4
Poles0
Fastest laps2
Last updated on: 17 November 2023.

Mikkel Overgaard Pedersen (born 26 January 1997) is a Danish racing driver who competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Dempsey-Proton Racing.

Career

Early career

Born in Struer, Denmark, Pedersen's racing career began in karting at the age of seven.[1] It was a family operation, with the Pedersens running the team out of a van in which they'd house the kart and travel to races. On Friday evenings, Mikkel would frequently watch the Porsche Supercup on TV, a series which he'd eventually compete in himself.[2] Throughout his career Pedersen has relied on local sponsor support to fund his racing endeavors.[3]

In 2012, Pedersen made his junior formula debut, taking part in the Danish Formula Ford Championship with DP Engineering. Pedersen's opening season in the series saw him compete in the Zetec category, driving the car that teammate Morten Dons had piloted the year prior.[4] The following season, he stepped into Porsche racing, initially at a local level before expanding to the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia in 2015.[5] At the conclusion of the 2015 season, Pedersen traveled to the Lausitzring to take part in the annual Porsche Junior Shootout.[6]

Porsche Supercup

Pedersen's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup at Red Bull Ring in 2018.

Pedersen made his Supercup debut at the end of the 2015 season at Circuit of the Americas, where he was disqualified from the second event after the first race was canceled. The following season, Pedersen lined up a part-time campaign with MRS-GT Racing, supplemented with a drive at the 2016 Dubai 24 Hour. In 2017, he was able to compete for the full season,[7] tallying a best finish of eighth at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. His second full-time season improved on the prior, with Pedersen registering three top-ten finishes including a fifth-place finish at Monaco[8] and a sixth-place finish at Hockenheim. At the conclusion of the 2018 season, he was named Motorsport Talent of the Year at the Danish Motorsport Awards.[1]

In 2019, Pedersen left MRS-GT Racing, taking part in his fifth year in the series with Italian outfit Dinamic Motorsport. After utilizing a 2017 model for the previous two years, Pedersen upgraded to a 2019-spec version of the car.[9] 2019 was Pedersen's best statistical season to date, as he claimed his maiden podium finish at Monaco[10] and tallied two fastest laps, once at Monaco and again at Monza. He would finish eighth in the championship, racking up 80 championship points.[11]

GT3 and beyond

In 2020, Pedersen continued with Dinamic for the team's globe-trotting GT3 program for the year. In January, he began the season at the Dubai 24 Hour, finishing on the GT3-Am class podium.[12] Pedersen's primary program for the season was a drive in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, where he'd join Adrien De Leener and Andrea Rizzoli in Dinamic's Silver Cup entry.[13] In the opening round of the season at Imola, Pedersen's entry finished on the class podium,[14] and would finish the season 13th in the Silver Cup classification. Pedersen returned to the team for the following season, stepping up to the Pro class as Romain Dumas replaced De Leener in the lineup.[15] The team would claim just one point, earned in a 10th-place finish at Monza, and finished 32nd in the series championship.

Pedersen's program expanded in 2022, where he took on drives in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans Cup, and GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. In the WEC, Pedersen served as the silver-ranked driver in one of Team Project 1's GTE Am class entries, joining Matteo Cairoli and Nicolas Leutwiler.[16] With full-season entries guaranteeing a spot at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Pedersen was able to fulfill a career dream of competing in the race.[2] Although the entry retired due to puncture damage, the rest of the season proved relatively successful. The team claimed their first podium finish of the season at Monza,[17] before taking victory in the final race of the season, the 8 Hours of Bahrain.[18] The trio were classified seventh in the GTE Am class championship.

Pedersen's Honda NSX GT3 at Circuit de la Sarthe in 2022.

Pedersen's Le Mans Cup campaign took place with Danish team GMB Motorsport, where he piloted a Honda NSX GT3.[19] He joined the team due to their long-term goal to compete at Le Mans in 2024, with the GT3 class being introduced to the race that year.[20] Although he did not compete in the full season, being replaced by Jan Magnussen after the Monza round,[21] Pedersen and co-driver Lars Engelbreckt Pedersen claimed one class victory over the course of five races.[22]

Pedersen's GT World Challenge Europe campaign was much more patchwork than his previous endeavors. After re-joining Dinamic Motorsport for an expected one-off at the 24 Hours of Spa, Pedersen was asked to finish the season, joining Marius Nakken and Giorgio Roda in the team's Silver Cup entry.[23] Pedersen scored 12 points over the course of three races, finishing 22nd in the class championship.

Pedersen began his 2023 campaign by taking part in the Asian Le Mans Series with Herberth Motorsport.[24] During the four-race championship, the returning trio from the previous season's WEC entry tallied two top-five finishes and finished sixth in the championship. Pedersen's season continued with a full-season drive in the 2023 edition of the World Endurance Championship, albeit with a different team. He joined Dempsey-Proton Racing, driving alongside team principal Christian Ried and Frenchman Julien Andlauer.[25] In the trio's first race, the 2023 1000 Miles of Sebring, the team claimed a podium finish.[26] They claimed their first and only victory of the season at Monza in July, and would end up finishing fourth in the GTE Am class championship.[27] At the end of the season, Pedersen drove a Proton-supplied Oreca 07 at the Bahrain rookie test.[28]

Racing record

Career summary

Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2012 Danish Formula Ford Championship - Zetec DP Engineering 20  ?  ?  ?  ? 96 8th
Formula Ford 1600 Nordic 3  ?  ?  ?  ? 11 10th
2015 Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia Norges Racing Team 12 0 0 1 2 113 4th
Swedish GT Championship 4 0 0 0 1 54 5th
Porsche Supercup Land Motorsport 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2016 Porsche Supercup MRS-GT Racing 3 0 0 0 0 4 23rd
24H Series - 991 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2017 Porsche Supercup MRS-GT Racing 11 0 0 0 0 37 13th
2018 Porsche Supercup MRS-GT Racing 10 0 0 0 0 39 11th
2019 Porsche Supercup Dinamic Motorsport 10 0 0 2 1 80 8th
Porsche Carrera Cup France 2 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2020 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Dinamic Motorsport 4 0 0 0 0 0 NC
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup - Silver Cup 4 0 0 0 1 30 13th
Intercontinental GT Challenge 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
24H GT Series - GT3-Am 1 0  ?  ? 1 24 6th
Danish Endurance Championship - Class 4 Mikkel O. Pedersen Racing 4 3  ?  ? 3 179 2nd
Special Saloon Car - Extreme Denmark  ?  ? 1  ?  ? 1 9th
2021 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Dinamic Motorsport 5 0 0 0 0 1 32nd
Danish Endurance Championship - Class 5 Mikkel O. Pedersen Racing 1 0  ?  ? 1  ?  ?
2022 FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGTE Am Team Project 1 6 1 0 2 2 71 7th
Le Mans Cup - GT3 GMB Motorsport 5 1 0 1 1 57 5th
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Dinamic Motorsport 3 0 0 0 0 0 NC
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup - Silver Cup 3 0 0 1 0 12 22nd
2023 Asian Le Mans Series - GT Herberth Motorsport 4 0 0 0 0 24 6th
FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGTE Am Dempsey-Proton Racing 7 1 0 0 2 80 4th

* Season still in progress.

Complete Porsche Supercup results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Pos. Points
2015 Land Motorsport CAT
 MON
 RBR
 SIL
 HUN
 SPA
 SPA
 MNZ
 MNZ
 COA
C		 COA
DSQ		 NC 0
2016 MRS-GT Racing CAT
12		 MON
Ret		 RBR
 SIL
 HUN
 HOC
Ret		 SPA
 MNZ
 COA
 COA
 23rd 4
2017 MRS-GT Racing CAT
16		 CAT
12		 MON
10		 RBR
18		 SIL
Ret		 HUN
24†		 SPA
14		 SPA
12		 MNZ
15		 MEX
8		 MEX
10		 13th 37
2018 MRS-GT Racing CAT
12		 MON
5		 RBR
20		 SIL
16		 HOC
6		 HUN
14		 SPA
15		 MNZ
27†		 MEX
Ret		 MEX
10		 11th 39
2019 Dinamic Motorsport CAT
6		 MON
2		 RBR
6		 SIL
7		 HOC
Ret		 HUN
16		 SPA
10		 MNZ
4		 MEX
Ret		 MEX
6		 8th 80

† – Driver did not finish the race, but were classified as they completed over 75% of the race distance.

Complete GT World Challenge Europe results

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pos. Points
2020 Dinamic Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R Silver IMO
16		 NÜR
31		 SPA
6H
38		 SPA
12H
48		 SPA
24H
Ret		 LEC
23		 13th 30
2021 Dinamic Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R Pro MON
10		 LEC
12		 SPA
6H
43		 SPA
12H
Ret		 SPA
24H
Ret		 NÜR
36†		 CAT
19		 32nd 1
2022 Dinamic Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R Silver IMO
 LEC
 SPA
6H
33		 SPA
12H
35		 SPA
24H
25		 HOC
26		 CAT
Ret		 22nd 12

† – Driver did not finish the race, but were classified as they completed over 75% of the race distance.

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Class Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rank Points
2022 Team Project 1 LMGTE Am Porsche 911 RSR-19 Porsche 4.2L Flat-6 SEB
Ret		 SPA
5		 LMS
Ret		 MON
3		 FUJ
6		 BHR
1		 7th 71
2023 Dempsey-Proton Racing LMGTE Am Porsche 911 RSR-19 Porsche 4.2L Flat-6 SEB
2		 PRT
7		 SPA
9		 LMS
Ret		 MNZ
1		 FUJ
6		 BHR
6		 4th 80

Complete Asian Le Mans Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Class Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 Rank Points
2023 Herberth Motorsport GT Porsche 911 GT3 R Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6 DUB
1
5		 DUB
2
16		 ABU
1
9		 ABU
2
4		 6th 24

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2022 Germany Team Project 1 Italy Matteo Cairoli
Switzerland Nicolas Leutwiler		 Porsche 911 RSR-19 GTE
Am		 77 DNF DNF
2023 Germany Dempsey-Proton Racing France Julien Andlauer
Germany Christian Ried		 Porsche 911 RSR-19 GTE
Am		 118 DNF DNF

References

  1. 1 2 Hedegaard Nielsen, Lars (15 March 2022). "Hele familien jubler: Drengedrømmen der gik i opfyldelse" [The whole family rejoices: the boyhood dream that came true]. Struer Ugeavisen (in Danish). Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 Orup Kristensen, Oliver (22 February 2022). "Gyldne opkald sikrer dansker Le Mans-debut: - Vi går efter at vinde" [Golden calls ensure Dane's Le Mans debut: - We're going to win]. TV 2 (in Danish). Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  3. ↑ Fonager, Olav (26 June 2022). "Racerkører på jagt efter millioner - skal bruge samme beløb som Blue Fox" [Racing driver in search of millions - must spend the same amount as Blue Fox]. TV Midtvest (in Danish). Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "God sæsonstart i Formel Ford til Struer kørerne" [Good start to the season in Formula Ford for the Struer drivers]. Motorsporten.dk (in Danish). 16 May 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "Mikkel O. Pedersen's Career Course from Sport Karting to Club Championship". Mikkel O. Pedersen Racing. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Mikkel O. deltog i Porsche Motorsport Super Cup shoot-out" [Mikkel O. participated in the Porsche Motorsport Super Cup shoot-out]. Motorsporten.dk (in Danish). 8 October 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  7. ↑ Jensen, Jens (10 March 2017). "Mikkel O. Pedersen signs Porsche Supercup contract". Racing24-7. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  8. ↑ Jensen, Jens (28 May 2018). "Good Monaco race for PMSC". Racing24-7. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  9. ↑ Jensen, Jens (6 March 2019). "Fifth season for Mikkel O." Racing24-7. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  10. ↑ Majgaard, Niklas (26 May 2019). "MIKKEL O. PEDERSEN TAGER FØRSTE PODIE I PORSCHE SUPERCUP" [Mikkel O. Pedersen takes first podium in the Porsche Supercup]. Boxengasse (in Danish). Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "Mikkel O. Pedersen med i toppen i Mexico" [Mikkel O. Pedersen with the top in Mexico]. Motorsporten.dk (in Danish). 5 November 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  12. ↑ "Mikkel O. Pedersen fik tredjeplads i Dubai" [Mikkel O. Pedersen got third place in Dubai]. Motorsporten.dk (in Danish). 14 January 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  13. ↑ Goodwin, Graham (11 March 2020). "GT World Challenge Europe News Notebook". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 21 March 2023. He will be joined by 23-year-old Danish racer Mikkel Overgaard Pedersen, who switches from the team's Porsche Supercup programme.
  14. ↑ "Mikkel O. Pedersen var få sekunder fra sejren" [Mikkel O. Pedersen was a few seconds away from victory]. Motorsporten.dk (in Danish). 27 July 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  15. ↑ Plümer, Jonas (1 March 2021). "GT World Challenge Europe: Dinamic Motorsport bestätigt zweites Endurance Cup-Trio" [GT World Challenge Europe: Dinamic Motorsport confirms second Endurance Cup trio]. GT-Place (in German). Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  16. ↑ Lloyd, Daniel (12 March 2022). "Leutwiler Completes No. 46 Project 1 Porsche Crew". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  17. ↑ Fernandez, Mat (10 July 2022). "Alpine Win Epic 6 Hours Of Monza Corvette Snatch Last Gasp GTE Pro Victory, Huge Accident For TF Sport Aston Martin". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 21 March 2023. Matteo Cairoli, Mikkel Pedersen and Nicolas Lautwiller took final spot on the podium.
  18. ↑ Euwema, Davey (12 November 2022). "No. 7 Toyota Wins Bahrain Finale; Sister Car Takes Title". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  19. ↑ "Mikkel O. Pedersen: "Det var en rigtig god oplevelse"" [Mikkel O. Pedersen: "It was a really good experience"]. Alticar (in Danish). 2 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  20. ↑ Munk Strægaard, Morten (21 December 2021). "Mikkel O. bliver del af Le Mans-projekt" [Mikkel O. becomes part of the Le Mans project]. Dagbladet Holstebro-Struer (in Danish). Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  21. ↑ Goodwin, Graham (16 August 2022). "Jan Magnussen Joins GMB Motorsport For Remainder Of 2022". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  22. ↑ Lloyd, Daniel (4 July 2022). "Weekly Racing Roundup (7.4.22)". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 21 March 2023. Lars and Mikkel O. Pedersen took class honors in their GMB Motorsport Honda NSX GT3 Evo22 after starting from the rear of the grid.
  23. ↑ "Mikkel O. Pedersen atter til start for Dinamic Motorsport" [Mikkel O. Pedersen is back at the start for Dinamic Motorsport]. Motorsport Danmark (in Danish). 1 September 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  24. ↑ "Mikkel O. Pedersen: "Godt at komme i gang igen"" [Mikkel O. Pedersen: "Good to get started again"]. Motorsport Danmark (in Danish). 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  25. ↑ Kilbey, Stephen (9 March 2023). "Sebring 1000M Preview: Part 1, GTE AM". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 21 March 2023. #77 Dempsey-Proton labeled 911 will be driven by team owner Christian Ried, Dane Mikkel Pedersen and rapid Frenchman Julien Andlauer.
  26. ↑ "Porsche teams face huge challenges at the WEC season opener". Porsche Newsroom. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  27. ↑ Kilbey, Stephen (9 July 2023). "Toyota finds redemption with victory at WEC Monza 6 Hours". Racer. Retrieved 17 November 2023. GTE Am, meanwhile, was won by the No. 77 Dempsey Proton Porsche of Julien Andlauer, Christian Ried and Mikkel Pedersen.
  28. ↑ Dagys, John (5 November 2023). "Hyett Set for Proton Effort in Asia as IMSA LMP2 Prep". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 17 November 2023. Hyett is turning laps in one of the soon-to-be Proton Orecas alongside Harry Tincknell and Mikkel Pedersen in Sunday's WEC rookie test...
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