Christian Gebhardt is a German professional racing driver and test driver who succeeded the legendary Horst von Saurma as Sport Auto magazine's primary lap time specialist in 2015. With 143 recorded laps across 124 different vehicles on LapMeta, Gebhardt has become one of the most prolific automotive journalists in the world, setting benchmark times that manufacturers and enthusiasts follow religiously.

Based in Germany and intimately familiar with the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Gebhardt has recorded 69 laps on the legendary Green Hell, 42 laps on the GP Circuit, and 27 on the Short Circuit. His testing methodology combines professional racing experience with journalistic objectivity, providing consistent data points that allow genuine performance comparisons across different eras and manufacturers. Unlike factory test drivers who may have vested interests, Gebhardt's independence lends credibility to his times.

Among his notable achievements are setting the Sport Auto lap time for the BMW M2 G87 at 7:38.23 on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and piloting the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) to a blistering 6:54 at the Nordschleife. His driving style is precise and repeatable, which makes his lap times valuable reference points for the automotive industry. When Gebhardt sets a time in a production car, it represents what the vehicle can genuinely achieve in skilled hands with factory specifications.

Gebhardt's racing background includes multiple participations in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, where he has achieved wins and podium finishes in various classes. This endurance racing experience translates directly to his testing work, as he understands vehicle dynamics under extended stress and can identify performance characteristics that matter beyond a single flying lap. His dual role as racer and journalist makes him uniquely qualified to evaluate performance cars, bridging the gap between marketing claims and real-world capability. For automotive enthusiasts worldwide, a Christian Gebhardt lap time is the gold standard benchmark.