Marc Gené i Guerrero (born 29 March 1974) is a Spanish professional racing driver. He is best known as a test driver for Williams and Ferrari in Formula One, as a race driver for the Minardi Formula One team, and as a factory driver for Peugeot's LMP1 team, with which he won the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Early Career
Born in Sabadell, Spain, Gené began karting at a young age. He won the Spanish Kart Championship (National Class) in 1988 and the Senior Class in 1990, becoming the youngest driver to do so. He moved into Formula Ford in 1992, finishing fifth in the Spanish championship. In 1993, he was runner-up in the European Formula Ford Championship. He competed in British Formula 3 from 1994 to 1995, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1994. In 1996, he won the FISA Superformula championship, and in 1998, he won the Open Fortuna by Nissan Championship with six wins.
Formula One Career
Gené made his Formula One debut in 1999 with the Minardi team. He scored his first and only point for Minardi with a sixth-place finish at the 1999 European Grand Prix, which was the team's first point since 1995. He remained with Minardi in 2000 but failed to score any points.
Unable to secure a race seat for 2001, Gené signed with Williams as a test driver. He drove three Grands Prix for Williams as a substitute driver: the 2003 Italian Grand Prix (where he finished fifth, scoring four points, replacing an injured Ralf Schumacher), and the 2004 French and British Grands Prix (replacing Schumacher again after a back injury).
In November 2004, Gené signed as a test driver for Scuderia Ferrari, alongside former Minardi teammate Luca Badoer. He remained with Ferrari as a test driver through the 2010 season.
Formula One Statistics:
- Grands Prix started: 36
- Career points: 5
- Best championship position: 17th (2003)
- Best race finish: 5th (2003 Italian Grand Prix)
- Best grid position: 5th (2003 Italian Grand Prix)
Sportscar Racing
Gené was hired by Peugeot as a factory driver for their LMP1 program beginning in 2007. He won the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans driving a Peugeot 908 HDi FAP alongside David Brabham and Alexander Wurz, completing 382 laps. He also won the 2010 12 Hours of Sebring with teammates Alexander Wurz and Anthony Davidson.
He later drove for Audi Sport Team Joest in the FIA World Endurance Championship, achieving podium finishes at Le Mans in 2013 (3rd) and 2014 (2nd).
Post-Racing Career
Starting in 2010, Gené commentated on Formula One races for Spanish television on Antena 3. In 2013, he became an expert analyst for Sky Sport F1 HD in Italy. He also serves as a brand ambassador for Scuderia Ferrari.
Personal Life
Gené's older brother, Jordi Gené, is also a professional racing driver who has competed in the World Touring Car Championship.
