Luca Schmidt: The sidecar passenger trusted by the world champions

Luca Schmidt’s services are in high demand in the Sidecar World Championship. When the young man from Thuringia isn’t already committed to a full season, he is one of the first co-drivers to be approached when a replacement is needed.

In 2023, for example, he stepped in at short notice for five-time world champion Pekka Päivärinta at Estoril because Ilse de Haas was unable to take part. The Finnish-German pairing clicked straight away and secured victory in the sprint race. They finished the main race in fourth place.

It was not least thanks to this performance that Schmidt was signed by the Swiss world champion Markus Schlosser. By the time they parted ways at the end of 2025, they had won eight World Championship rounds and finished the season as runners-up twice.

Having stood in for Australian Corey Turner’s injured brother Danyon at Le Mans in early 2026, it is once again a world champion who is delighted that Schmidt is not only available but also keen to take on the new challenge for the races at Assen.

Tim Reeves muss Melanie Farnier für den Rest der Saison ersetzen

Foto: Helmut Ohner

As French rider Melanie Farnier is unable to compete due to a persistent injury, six-time world champion and two-time overall World Cup winner Tim Reeves urgently needs an equally capable replacement for his home race.

“Melanie is out for four months and mustn’t take any heavy knocks, so unfortunately she won’t be racing for the rest of the season. I’m glad that Luca, who has won World Championship races with Markus Schlosser, is stepping in,” says the Briton, clearly relieved.

The Carl-Cox-Motorsport rider is particularly looking forward to the coming weekend: “Since I bought a house in Assen, I live just round the corner and it’s only about three minutes to the circuit.”

“I’m sure we’ll put on a good show. It would be great if we could be in the mix at the front and perhaps finish on the podium to give Carl something back for his efforts. I can hardly wait and I’m looking forward to seeing the fans there!”

Provisional schedule for Assen

World Championship standings after 8 of 12 races