Ferrari factory driver Thomas Neubauer has been ruled out of next weekend’s 2026 Suzuka 1000km after suffering a complex fracture of his left collarbone in a cycling accident.
The 27-year-old had been due to share Maezawa Racing’s Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo with Yusaku Maezawa and Naoki Yokomizo in the fourth round of the 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge from 11–13 September. The Bronze Cup entry must now find a replacement, with Maezawa Racing yet to confirm who will take Neubauer’s place.
Neubauer underwent surgery on Tuesday and has indicated that his recovery could also prevent him from competing in upcoming GTWC Europe Sprint Cup events. The Frenchman currently sits joint-fourth in those standings alongside AF Corse teammate Arthur Leclerc after the pair scored 41 points across the opening three rounds.
Neubauer reveals extent of cycling accident injuries
Neubauer confirmed his injury through social media on Thursday, explaining that he suffered the accident while cycling a few days earlier.
Although he did not provide further details about the circumstances of the crash, Neubauer revealed that his collarbone had fractured into at least seven pieces and suffered significant displacement. The Ferrari driver subsequently required surgery but said the procedure had gone successfully.
“A few days ago, I was involved in a cycling crash,” he wrote on Instagram. “Despite always being very careful, sometimes accidents are unfortunately unavoidable.
“I fell off my bike and, among other injuries, I suffered a complex fracture of my left collarbone, with at least seven fragments and significant displacement of the bones.
“I had surgery on Tuesday, and everything went well. I’m finally starting to feel like myself again.”
The injury immediately removes Neubauer from the Suzuka 1000km, which would have given him another opportunity to race for Ferrari on the international GT stage.
Neubauer thanks medical staff and Ferrari
Neubauer also used his statement to thank those involved in his treatment and recovery. He specifically acknowledged the emergency and medical personnel who assisted him following the accident, as well as Ferrari for its support.
“I would sincerely like to thank all the medical staff who took care of me: the firefighters, le CHU de Nice, la Clinique du Sport de Paris, my surgeon Dr. Didier Fontes as well as everyone who supported me throughout these difficult days.
“A big thank you also to my Ferrari family for their support. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by such amazing people.”
No recovery timeline has yet been confirmed. However, the severity of the fracture means Neubauer appears likely to remain sidelined beyond Suzuka while he allows the injury to heal properly.
His immediate attention has consequently shifted away from racing towards rehabilitation, although he made clear that returning to competition remains his principal motivation.
“Now it’s time to focus on recovery, because there’s only one thing I can’t wait for: getting back behind the wheel of my race car.”
Maezawa Racing yet to confirm Suzuka replacement
Neubauer’s absence leaves Maezawa Racing needing to revise its three-driver combination shortly before the Suzuka weekend.
He had been scheduled to join Maezawa and Yokomizo in the Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo, giving the Bronze Cup crew the experience of a factory Ferrari driver alongside its two Japanese competitors. Maezawa Racing has not yet announced who will replace him for the 50th running of the Suzuka 1000km.
The event forms the penultimate round of this year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge and has attracted a strong field of international and Japanese entries. Neubauer’s withdrawal therefore removes one of Ferrari’s factory representatives from the grid at a race where several manufacturers will combine their international programmes with experienced local teams and drivers.
His absence also changes the competitive outlook for Maezawa Racing. The replacement will have little time to integrate into the programme before practice begins, although the team still has more than a week to finalise its revised line-up.
GTWC Europe campaign also likely affected
Suzuka may not be the only event Neubauer misses during his recovery.
The next GTWC Europe Sprint Cup round takes place at Zandvoort from 18–19 September, only days after the Japanese endurance race. Given the nature of his injury and recent surgery, Neubauer appears unlikely to recover in time to rejoin Leclerc there.
The AF Corse pairing has enjoyed a competitive Sprint Cup campaign so far and sits joint-fourth in the Drivers’ standings on 41 points. Their season began particularly strongly at Brands Hatch, where Neubauer and Leclerc took victory in Race 1 after the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing entry received post-race penalties.
They subsequently added points at Misano and Magny-Cours, keeping themselves within the championship fight with two rounds remaining. Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts currently lead on 49.5 points, meaning Neubauer and Leclerc sit only 8.5 points from the top.
Barcelona could offer later return opportunity
After Zandvoort, the Sprint Cup season concludes at Barcelona from 3–4 October. That later date could provide Neubauer with more recovery time, although neither he nor Ferrari has confirmed when he expects to return to competition.
His absence would be particularly significant given how close the Sprint Cup standings remain. Leclerc and Neubauer are still mathematically well placed to challenge the leading crews, but missing Zandvoort would substantially complicate those prospects unless AF Corse fields a replacement capable of maintaining the No. 50 Ferrari’s points challenge.
For now, the priority remains Neubauer’s recovery rather than establishing a firm return date. His successful surgery represents the first step, but the complex nature of the fracture means Suzuka will proceed without him and further changes to his 2026 racing programme could follow.
Maezawa Racing must meanwhile finalise a replacement before the Suzuka 1000km begins on 11 September, while AF Corse will need to assess its options ahead of the Sprint Cup’s visit to Zandvoort one week later.
