Born in Bree, Belgium in 1975, Bas Leinders has left a defining mark on modern endurance racing, both behind the wheel and from the pit wall. A versatile driver turned team leader, Leinders has contributed to some of Belgium’s greatest contemporary motorsport achievements, most notably through his work with Optimum Motorsports.

Leinders began his career in karting and single-seaters, capturing national titles and earning international recognition that led to a Formula 1 test and reserve role with Minardi in 2004. Transitioning into endurance and GT competition, he became one of Belgium’s leading sports car drivers, competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa, and Nürburgring, achieving multiple podiums and victories.

As one of the founding figures of Marc VDS Racing, Leinders’ influence extended far beyond his own driving. He guided the team from its inception to global success, culminating in overall victory at the 2015 24 Hours of Spa with BMW, a landmark achievement for both the team and Belgian motorsport. Under his leadership, Marc VDS also earned podiums at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (LMP2) and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, and played a vital role in BMW’s GT3 development programs. Leinders' currently is the Sporting Director of Optimum Motorsports, and leads the charge in IMSA with Inception Racing. Leinders' has lead the team to major achievements with a pole position at Le Mans (2024), IMSA Endurance Cup Champions (2022), Asian Le Mans Series GT (2022), GTWC Europe Gold Cup (2022) and class win at the Indianapolis 6 Hours (2025).

Across every phase of his career, Leinders has embodied the balance of driver instinct and strategic intelligence. His dual legacy, as a race winner and as the architect of one of Belgium’s most successful racing teams, continues to shape endurance racing today.