Interview with Lorenzo Patrese, College Student-Athlete

Lorenzo, you’ve just wrapped up the 2026 season by winning the Bronze class title in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with Kessel Racing, driving the Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo. How did you feel when you realized the championship was yours?

It was definitely hugely satisfying. Winning a European championship is never easy, especially in a series as competitive as GT World Challenge. This year, together with Kessel Racing, we managed to put together a really solid season, winning both the Endurance title and the Overall title in the Bronze class. The best part was seeing a whole season’s worth of work pay off. There are so many people behind a result like this, from the drivers to the engineers and the mechanics. It’s an achievement I share with the whole team, and it gives me even more motivation for the years ahead.

Between testing, travel across Europe and the United States, and classes, what does a typical week look like for you? How do you manage to balance your commitments on the track and in the classroom?

There’s no such thing as a typical week, because my schedule is constantly changing. During the season I spend a lot of time traveling, between races and tests in Europe, the United States and even Asia. When I’m home, I try to make the most of my time to attend classes, study and prepare for exams. The hardest part is definitely planning everything ahead of time. Sometimes I end up studying at the airport, on flights or even during race weekends. It’s not always easy, but I think pursuing both paths is really important. Motorsport is my profession, but I also want to build a solid university education for my future.

In practical terms, what’s helping you the most about H-FARM College’s student-athlete program?

What I appreciate most is definitely the attention and support I get. Compared to other universities, at H-FARM College I really feel like I’m being closely looked after. It’s not just about having flexibility with attendance or exams, but about being given real, hands-on help in planning my studies around my racing commitments. With a schedule that has me constantly traveling between Europe, America and Asia, that support really makes a difference. That said, I think this is one of H-FARM’s strengths in general, not just for student-athletes. There’s a real focus on the individual and on each student’s needs, something that, in my experience, is hard to find in other university settings.

In motorsport, method, data analysis and teamwork are what count. Do you find these same skills in your studies? Is there anything you’re learning at College that has also proved useful in your work with the team?

Absolutely. I think motorsport and the business world have a lot more in common than you might imagine. Teamwork, data analysis, resource management and the ability to make decisions under pressure are fundamental in both. That’s exactly why, just a few days ago, together with the College staff, we organized an H-Expedition to Mugello, taking a group of H-FARM students right into the paddock during a race weekend. The goal was precisely to show how many of the topics we cover in our courses also have a concrete application in the world of motorsport. Behind a racing team there aren’t just drivers and engineers, but also management, marketing, logistics and financial operations. It was really interesting to be able to show my classmates a world I know well and to create a direct link between what we study at university and the professional world.

Why did you choose H-FARM College? Was there a moment when you realized it was the right place for you?

I chose H-FARM because I was looking for an international, innovative environment with a very hands-on approach to the business world. Having come from another university, one of the differences I noticed most was the attention given to students. At H-FARM College I’ve never felt like just a number, but like a person with my own goals, interests and needs. I knew I’d made the right choice when I saw that the university didn’t just support my racing career, but was also keen to make the most of it, creating new opportunities for me and for other students. The H-Expedition we organized at Mugello is a concrete example of that. I think this willingness to listen to students, support them along their journey and turn ideas into real initiatives is what makes H-FARM such a stimulating environment.

What are your next goals, both on the track and in your university studies? Is there a milestone you dream of reaching in the coming years?

On the racing side, 2027 is going to be a really big year. I’ve confirmed my commitment to the American IMSA championship, and I’m also starting a new adventure in the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes prestigious races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. My goal is to keep growing as a driver, achieve major results on the international stage and, looking further ahead, one day compete in the Hypercar class, the top category in endurance racing. On the academic side, I want to continue my studies in International Business, trying to apply what I learn more and more to my professional career. I believe sport and university can complement each other, and I’d like to keep developing both paths.

What would you say to someone your age who competes at a high level in their sport and is wondering whether they’ll be able to keep up with their studies as well?

I’d definitely tell them not to assume that sport and studying have to be mutually exclusive. It’s true that balancing both takes sacrifice, organization and a lot of determination. There are times when it’s hard to find time for everything, especially when you’re competing at an international level. At the same time, though, I think sport teaches skills that are really useful in your studies and in your professional life too, like discipline, time management and the ability to work toward goals. So my advice is not to give up on any of your ambitions, but to look for an environment that lets you pursue both. With the right organization and the right support, I think it’s absolutely possible.