YouTube star Misha Charoudin returns to NXT Gen Cup at Nürburgring
(Photo: Alexander Trienitz)
Acclaimed YouTube personality and Nürburgring expert Misha Charoudin made headlines during his electric racing debut in the 2024 NXT Gen Cup. Now, as the championship returns to the Rheinland, the popular Dutchman is back on the grid once again.
Misha Charoudin is one of the most experienced drivers around the Nürburgring Nordschleife and no stranger to the adjacent GP-Strecke, where NXT Gen Cup will race this weekend. The 35-year-old has become an internet sensation, amassing over 1.8 million YouTube subscribers and earning a loyal global fanbase through his entertaining and insightful content from the “Green Hell.”
When it was first announced in 2024 that Charoudin would join the fully electric NXT Gen Cup as a guest driver at the Nürburgring – part of the DTM race weekend – the news created significant buzz. Getting behind the wheel of the 230 hp, Hankook-shod LRT NXT1 car was a brand-new experience for the seasoned content creator.
– Driving the NXT Gen Cup last year must be one of my most memorable moments from my racing career. What really impressed me is the dedication from the series that has driver development as the main focus, said Misha Charoudin. Every driver has access to everyone else's onboards, data logging and coaches in order to learn from others and become the best. This is something I did not see anywhere else in the world. It also helped me through my racing weekend where I was constantly improving with every stint. It is also great to see last year's Championship winner Calvin de Groot progress into Nürburgring's NLS and kick butt there. As I said last year – we will see NXT Gen Cup's participants do great things in other racing series in the future.
Charoudin, who has completed about 10.000 laps around the Nordschleife and competed in events such as the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, VLN, and various international endurance and sprint series, is excited to return to the electric touring car grid and test himself against the highly competitive field.
– The moment I got the opportunity to drive this year I did not hesitate to say yes. Compared to last year's foggy and wet weekend, the predictions are completely opposite – sunny conditions, which will make this a completely new experience. My main goal is to have fun and and to learn something new from the fellow competitors and data engineers. Those are going to be 3 insanely fun "school days”, Charoudin added.
Misha Charoudin (Photo: Alexander Trientiz)
Bringing Misha Charoudin back for a second consecutive year at his home circuit is something NXT Gen Cup founder and Series Manager Fredrik Lestrup is delighted about.
– Misha’s guest appearance with us last season was his first-ever experience in an electric touring car. It was great to see him on track and how he improved throughout the weekend. We’re really happy to welcome him back – he brings a strong presence, both on track and in the paddock, and serves as a role model for the young talent in our series, showing how to build a career in racing. I know he’ll be pushing hard for that first podium finish this weekend, said Lestrup.
Misha Charoudin will join the 18-car NXT Gen Cup field for the Nürburgring DTM race weekend on 8–10 August.
Qualifying and all races will be broadcast LIVE on YouTube, complete with expert commentary and behind-the-scenes coverage.
Schedule - NXT Gen Cup, Nürburgring
Times in CEST
Friday 8th August
08:00 – Free Practice 1 (20 min)
12:55 – Free Practice 2 (20 min)
17:45 – Qualification (20 min)
Saturday 9th August
08:30 – Race 1 (20 min)
10:50 – Autograph Session
15:30 – Race 2 (20 min)
16:30 – Meet the Drivers
Sunday 10th August
10:10 – Race 3 (20 min)
Championship standings
NXT Gen Cup after 7 races
1. Lukas Stiefelhagen (NED), 193p
2. Philipp Dietrich (AUT),132p
3. Maxim Dacher (DEU), 132p
4. Julian Würtele (DEU), 108p
5. Patricija Stalidzane (LAT), 107p
2025 NXT Gen Cup calendar
25-27 April – Oschersleben – Germany
04-06 July – Norisring – Germany
08-10 August – Nürburgring – Germany
22-24 August – Sachsenring – Germany
19-20 September – Swedish Junior Championship – Mantorp Park – Sweden
About NXT Gen Cup
The NXT Gen Cup is the world’s first 100% electric junior touring car cup where young female and male drivers race the LRT NXT1, a fully electric race car based on the MINI Cooper SE road car - engineered and built by Lestrup Racing Team. The series races together with DTM and is organised through an “arrive and drive” concept, enabling the junior drivers to focus on driving and creating the foundation for a professional racing career.
About DTM
DTM is Europe’s premier and best-known racing series and celebrated its 40th birthday in 2024. As one of the most competitive racing series, DTM features seven prestigious brands in its anniversary season. The DTM has a German core, but a strong international fan base. Races are broadcasted live in 150 territories. The series is also a leader in sustainable motorsport. For the second season, all cars are powered by a sustainable fuel made of 50% renewable components. Not only the cars racing in DTM are in the centre of sustainable projects. For the events itself the ADAC as promoter of the DTM offers innovations like an initiative to reduce plastic waste and a digital carpool solution, which has been recognised and awarded by the FIA.