Sam Neary
NationalityBritish
Birth date27 April 2002 (age 24)
Birth placeLiverpool, England
RelativesRichard Neary (father)
Racing licence FIA Silver (until 2024)
FIA Gold (2025–)[1]
TitlesGT Cup Championship – GT3
Title years2021

Sam Neary (born 27 April 2002) is a British racing driver who last competed in the British GT Championship for Team Abba Racing.

Personal life

Neary is the son of Team ABBA Racing founder Richard Neary,[2] who he has driven with in the British GT Championship since his debut in 2020.[3]

Career

Neary made his car racing debut in late 2017, racing in the Ginetta Junior Winter Series for TCR.[4] After finishing third in the SP3 class at the 2018 12 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps for Team ABBA,[5] Neary returned to his family's team to compete in the 2019 Britcar Endurance Championship.[6] Racing primarily in the Class 4, Neary scored three wins in the six races he contested to end the season fifth in points.[7] During 2019, Neary also won the 12 Hours of Brno in the SP3 class for the same team.[8]

In 2020, Neary continued with the family team to make his debut in the British GT Championship alongside his father, driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3.[9] In his first season in the series, Neary scored a best outright result of sixth at Donington Park and three Pro-Am podiums to end the year fifth in points.[10] Returning to the series for the following year,[11] the father-son duo became the first in series history to win a race, doing so at the first Donington Park enduro.[12] Across the rest of the season, Neary scored Silver-Am wins at Brands Hatch and the second Donington Park, with the latter also being an overall podium, to secure runner-up honors in class.[13] During 2021, Neary also raced with the same team in the GT Cup Championship,[14] in which he won both the GT3 and overall titles.[15]

Continuing with the team for a third season in the British GT Championship,[16] Neary scored a best overall result of third at Snetterton, which was also a Silver-Am win, as well as another class win at Oulton Park to round out the year fifth in points.[17] During 2022, Neary also made select appearances in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie for various teams,[18] as well as racing in the Dubai 24 Hour for Holmgaard Motorsport in the TCR class.[19] Towards the end of the year, Neary was also drafted in as a last-minute subsitute for Chris Froggatt at the FIA Motorsport Games GT Cup,[20] in which he finished third for Team UK.[21]

Remaining with Team Abba for 2023,[22] Neary clinched four Silver-Am podiums and a best result of fifth four rounds into the season at Snetterton, in the team's first race with the AMG GT3 Evo spec.[23] In parallel, Neary joined Lamborghini-linked GRT Grasser Racing Team to race in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup,[24] scoring a Silver Cup win at Barcelona and a further class podium at Monza to finish sixth in points.[25]

The following year, Neary stayed with Team Abba for their first full season with the AMG GT3 Evo,[26] securing two Silver-Am class wins and a best overall result of second at Silverstone en route to runner-up honors in the class standings.[27][28] During 2024, Neary also raced at the 24 Hours of Spa for McLaren-fielding Optimum Motorsport.[29] After being upgraded to an FIA Gold Categorisation,[30] Neary only returned to the British GT Championship with Team Abba the following year,[31] taking a best result of fourth at Oulton Park and a Pro-Am podium at the first Donington Park enduro.[32]

Racing record

Racing career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesF/LapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2017Ginetta Junior Winter SeriesTCR400003213th
201824H TCE Series – SP3Team ABBA with Rollcentre Racing1000117NC
2019Britcar Endurance Championship – Class 4Team Abba Racing6325397‡5th‡
Britcar Endurance Championship – Class 1221220NC†
Britcar Endurance Championship – Class 3101000NC†
24H TCE Series Europe – SP31100118NC
2020British GT Championship – GT3Team Abba Racing700003411th
GT Cup Championship – GT3422240NC†
Tecserv UK1110172‡2nd‡
2021British GT Championship – GT3Team Abba Racing71002758th
GT Cup Championship – GT31st
202224H TCE Series Continents – TCRHolmgaard Motorsport1000017NC
British GT Championship – GT3Team Abba Racing801013119th
GT Cup Championship – GT340001
GT Cup Championship – GTH40000
FIA Motorsport Games GT CupTeam United Kingdom100013rd
Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie – BMW M2 CSWalkenhorst Motorsport100000NC
Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie – BMW M240iAdrenalin Motorsport Team Alzner Automotive100000NC
Schnitzelalm Racing10000
Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie – VT2 R+4Team Sorg Rennsport100000NC
2023British GT Championship – GT3Team Abba Racing801001023rd
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance CupGRT Grasser Racing Team500000NC
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup – Silver1112536th
GT Cup Championship – GTCTopcats Racing44224432‡1st‡
2024British GT Championship – GT3Team Abba Racing9000374.58th
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance CupOptimum Motorsport100000NC
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup – Bronze0000436th
2025British GT Championship – GT3Team Abba Racing600004212th
Sources:[33][34]

† As Neary was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.

‡ Team standings.

Complete British GT Championship results

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

YearTeamCarClass123456789DCPoints
2020Team ABBA RacingMercedes-AMG GT3GT3 Pro-AmOUL
1
8		OUL
2
Ret		DON1
1
6		DON1
2
20		BRH
7		DON2
8		SNE
1
DNS		SNE
2
DNS		SIL
11		5th106.5
2021Team ABBA RacingMercedes-AMG GT3GT3 Silver-AmBRH
5		SIL
Ret		DON1
1		SPA
Ret		SNE
1
SNE
2
OUL
1
DSQ		OUL
2
DSQ		DON2
3		2nd75
2022Team ABBA RacingMercedes-AMG GT3GT3 Silver-AmOUL
1
13		OUL
2
4		SIL
DSQ		DON1
13		SNE
1
3		SNE
2
11		SPA
BRH
9		DON2
Ret		5th119
2023Team Abba RacingMercedes-AMG GT3GT3 Silver-AmOUL
1
Ret		OUL
2
13		SIL
13		DON1
Ret		5th91.5
Mercedes-AMG GT3 EvoSNE
1
5		SNE
2
14		ALG
BRH
Ret		DON2
14
2024Team Abba RacingMercedes-AMG GT3 EvoGT3 Silver-AmOUL
1
11		OUL
2
8		SIL
2		DON1
13		SPA
Ret		SNE
1
3		SNE
2
7		DON2
DSQ		BRH
4		2nd158.5
2025Team Abba RacingMercedes-AMG GT3 EvoGT3 Pro-AmDON1
5		SIL
10		OUL
1
4		OUL
2
Ret		SPA
Ret		SNE
1
SNE
2
BRH
DON2
9		12th45

Complete GT World Challenge Europe results

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup

YearTeamCarClass1234567Pos.Points
2023GRT Grasser Racing TeamLamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2SilverMNZ
27		LEC
Ret		SPA
6H
28		SPA
12H
62†		SPA
24H
Ret		NÜR
47		CAT
16		6th53
2024Optimum MotorsportMcLaren 720S GT3 EvoBronzeLECSPA
6H
45		style="background:#CFCFFF; | SPA
12H
39		SPA
24H
23		NÜRMNZJED36th4

References

  1. ^ Goodwin, Graham (9 October 2024). "FIA Releases Provisional Driver Categorisation List For 2025". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  2. ^ "The father and son team taking GT racing by storm". autosport.com. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Sam Neary: "Racing with my dad is a lovely memory that we both cherish"". gt-report.com. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Jewiss Leads Strong Entry Into 2017 Ginetta Junior Winter Series". thecheckeredflag.co.uk. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  5. ^ "12H: Scuderia Praha Ferrari 488 GT3 seals victory, PROsport Performance AMG GT3 takes the 2018 GT Euro title". circuitprodigital.com. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Britcar Season Opener At Silverstone Hits 36 Entries". dailysportscar.com. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Race Report – JMH Automotive win round 2". racing24-7.net. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Bohemia Energy racing with Scuderia Praha still undefeated at the 12h de Brno". sport-auto.ch. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Richard Neary et son fils Sam associés en 2020 sur la Mercedes-AMG GT3 ABBA Racing" (in French). endurance-info.com. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  10. ^ "Parker Bentley Takes Donington Sprint Race". dailysportscar.com. 16 August 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  11. ^ "Abba Racing's Richard and Sam Neary return to British GT in Silver-Am class". gt-report.com. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  12. ^ "Nearys battle through British GT carnage to make history as HSCC's Superprix thrills". autosport.com. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  13. ^ "British GT Donington Park: Leo Machitski and Dennis Lind take the crown, Enduro win the race". gt-report.com. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Abba Racing Wins Opening Race Of 2021 GT Cup Championship. (10.04.21)". enduranceandgt.co.uk. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Sam & Richard Neary Take Championship Win In Abba Racing AMG". dailysportscar.com. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Abba and Nearys target more giant killing in 2022". gt-report.com. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  17. ^ "Loggie & Macleod Take Race One Win For RAM". dailysportscar.com. 26 June 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  18. ^ "160 Cars For NLS3, Including Global Debut For New BMW M4 GT4". dailysportscar.com. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  19. ^ "24H: MS7 by WRT has secured its first outright pole position at the Hankook 24H DUBAI". circuitprodigital.com. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  20. ^ "Sam Neary Replaces Unwell Chris Froggatt In Team UK Line-up". dailysportscar.com. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  21. ^ "France Takes Gold in GT Cup Main Race". sportscar365.com. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  22. ^ "Abba and Nearys return for 2023 Silver-Am challenge". gt-report.com. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  23. ^ "British GT Snetterton: Barwell take untroubled race one victory". gt-report.com. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  24. ^ "GT World Challenge Europe: Grasser Racing Team bestätigt zweites Aufgebot" (in German). gt-place.com. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  25. ^ "GT World Challenge Europe: Sieg und Titel für Grasser Racing Team" (in German). gt-place.com. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  26. ^ "Team Abba Racing Gears Up for Fifth Consecutive British GT Season with Neary Duo". gt-report.com. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  27. ^ "RJN Takes Brands Hatch Finale Win, Rob & Ricky Collard Crowned 2024 Champions". dailysportscar.com. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  28. ^ "British GT: Garage 59’s Shaun Balfe and Adam Smalley Take the Win at Silverstone". racerviews.com. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  29. ^ "Revised 67-Car Entry List For Spa 24 Published". dailysportscar.com. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  30. ^ "LMGT3 Stars Headline FIA Driver Rating Adjustments". sportscar365.com. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  31. ^ "Nearys Set for Sixth British GT Season with Fresh Look and Pro-Am Move". gt-report.com. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  32. ^ "Cook Holds Off Götz For Race 1 Victory At Oulton Park". dailysportscar.com. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  33. ^ "Sam Neary Results". motorsportstats.com. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  34. ^ "Sam Neary | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 26 March 2026.