Jonas Folger is a pilot with an improbable destiny. Few people have experienced so many setbacks in such a short time. However, the Bavarian should start for a full year in Superbike, within the Bonovo Action / MGM structure, on BMW moreover. A revenge on motorcycle sport but also on life. A look back at this discreet character with a unique story.
Born in Mühldorf am Inn, Bavaria, Folger was born on August 13, 1993. Since he was very young, he has been passionate about motor sports and more specifically motorcycles. A passion that came from his father, a mechanic, and from his uncle Alexander who competed a few times in the world in the 1990s.
At just three years old, he inherited a 50cc and quickly turned to regional championships. In 2003, he completely crushed his category and won the title without losing a single race. He climbed the ladder until Red Bull the mark at 12 years old. The Austrian empire has already been present in Grands Prix for a while, but is looking for convincing talent.
Folger at the Sachsenring in 2003. The little German was far from suspecting that it was here, 14 years later, that he would make history. Photo: Olaf Just
This forces him to race in Spain, among the best. He acclimatized quickly and finished third in the 2006 edition in 125cc, behind Pol Espargaro et Tito Rabat, two well-known names.
In view of his good results, he is retained by Red Bull and was offered the opportunity to express himself at the highest level: he raced in Brno in 2008 as a wildcard in the 125cc category. An interesting experience which unfortunately saw him abandon due to technical problems.
The Ongetta SPA team, quite renowned, decided to hire him full-time for 2009. He rubbed shoulders with renowned drivers like
Andrea Iannone ou Takaaki Nakagami, all at the start of their careers. The German prodigy quickly shows what he is capable of. Starting from 35th position in Jerez, he began an exceptional climb to third place, before falling. All for the third race of the season.
Jonas Folger in 2010 in Assen. Photo: Jerko
At the end of the following round, he even climbed onto the second step of the podium at Le Mans. A podium achieved in very difficult conditions. The rest of the season will be quieter, but Jonas continues to progress. A work on himself which puts him in the best conditions to attack the 2011 season.
After a successful start to the year, he won his first career race at Silverstone, ahead of a certain John Zarco more than three seconds. The progression is linear but the budgets do not necessarily follow, the evil of our century.
Folger, particularly due to his nationality, was apart. This contrasted with the rest of the grid in the smaller categories and, as is often the case, benefited from the sympathy of the public. A business that runs smoothly, without anyone suspecting that an evil is gnawing at young Jonas from the inside.
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
