WTF1 podcast host James Coker will be in Le Mans for the 2025 edition of “one of the most iconic races in the world”! We heard from the Texas-born actor and comedian ahead of his big trip across the pond to see what he was most looking forward to.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from and what do you do?
I grew up in Dallas, Texas. I am an actor and comedian and for my day job I work as a content creator and copywriter for a brand’s social media team.
What might your followers not know about you?
That I’m an actor and have been in a dozen TV shows. I also was a spokesperson for a cable and mobile company in the US for 3 years where I shot like 50 commercials for them. Also I am married with a kid.
My wife and I chose not to post our son online until he’s much older. We don’t judge other people who do! It’s just a personal choice. I used to post more photos and videos with my significant other but she doesn’t really like the attention so I try to focus on motorsport and comedy content on my pages.
Will this be your first time at Le Mans?
This will be! Je suis très excité.
What does the race at Le Mans mean to you?
It’s part of the Triple Crown of motorsport and is one of the most iconic races in the world. I’m in awe of the incredible history and tradition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I also have so much respect for the hard work, preparation and skill that goes into competing in a 24 hour race.
What are you most excited about in coming to Le Mans?
I think it’s getting to connect with friends, meet new people and connect with the vast community of people who love motorsport.
Are you backing a specific team or driver this year?
I’ve gotten an opportunity to meet a lot of WEC drivers through my work with Formula E, so I’m partial to some of the drivers I’ve gotten a chance to interview in the past. I love Jean-Eric Vergne. I will always be a fan of his.
When I’m watching a WEC race I’m also rooting for drivers like Ferdinand Habsburg, Sebastien Buemi, and Stoffel Vandoorne. But I also love the tribal element of rooting for a team like Ferrari.
What other races in motorsport have you attended recently?
I’ve been truly blessed to get the opportunity to attend a decent amount of races in the last year: three Formula E races (known as E-Prix), the NASCAR Clash at the Coliseum, the IndyCar Long Beach Grand Prix, and the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix.
How did your journey in motorsport begin?
It happened completely by accident. My wife and I started watching Netflix’s Drive To Survive during the pandemic and I immediately fell in love with Formula 1. For me, F1 was a gateway to a number of other motorsport series: IndyCar, WEC, and Formula E just to name a few.
Any funny stories to share from attending motorsport events?
For me, it was interesting when people started noticing me from my videos when I was attending races. I made a Formula E video that went mega viral, like 8 million impressions, and I showed up to the track for the Portland E-Prix a week later and a ton of the drivers and team principals had seen the video and were telling me how much they liked it. It was a surreal experience.
What made you start creating content?
I’ve been an actor and comedian for over 15 years. I started off in New York City doing improv and sketch comedy at Upright Citizens Brigade and a few other comedy theaters. I’ve been making content online for a long time, but it wasn’t until I accidentally stumbled into the motorsport world that I started gaining a following.
My wife and I made one video as a joke where I was the driver and she was the race engineer and we were doing team talk in our car. We drive an old Prius. I didn’t think much of it but the video went super viral. I had enough footage from the shoot to edit 3 more versions of that video and they all went viral.
I decided to make one more F1 related video and then I would stop, but that video went crazy as well. I told myself I would stop making F1 related content when it stopped getting engagement, but it never stopped getting engagement. Before I knew it, tens of thousands of people were following me for F1 content and I had accidentally put myself into this F1/Motorsport niche as a creator.
What do you never travel without when attending races?
An external battery to charge my phone. That and an array of vintage racing hats.
What can people who follow you expect to see?
Very dumb videos that sometimes will make you laugh and other times are just cringe.
Where should people go to see your content?
You can find me on Instagram, on TikTok and on YouTube.