Thibaut Courtois, a Real Madrid and Belgium goalkeeper, and ex-Formula 1 driver Roberto Merhi are said to be planning a Spanish Formula 4 team for the 2018 season.

The team, dubbed ‘TC Racing’ in Spain after the footballer’s initials, might make its junior series debut the following year.

Courtois, a well-known sim racer and motorsports fan, has previously been observed in the Formula 1 paddock, most recently in Monaco earlier this season.

According to rumors, Thibaut Courtois wants to offer new drivers an opportunity in motorsport.

Various rumors in Spain suggest that Courtois is assembling a team alongside former Marussia driver Merhi, who will serve as an advisor, according to AS.

Because Spanish F4 is typically one of the first steps on the single-seater ladder for drivers who have advanced from karting, TC Racing is likely to start there before maybe expanding into other junior championships.

This year’s championship will have five three-race rounds in Spain, including the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Jerez, as well as Estoril in Portugal and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

AS also adds that Courtois’ idea lacks a “concrete structure” at the moment, albeit the club is thinking about it.

Thibaut Courtois is unrelated to racing.Courtois, a Formula One fan, has visited the grid and pit lane at multiple races. He also competed as a ‘celebrity’ in the Covid-19 pandemic F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series, among real Formula 1 drivers.

“How is he that fast?!,” the now-Williams driver shouted after a particularly hazardous maneuver against Alex Albon at Silverstone. What precisely is this? What kind of engine is he using?

“You’ve just been overtaken by a professional goalkeeper!” George Russell cracked a joke in the background.

Courtois has also recently paid Williams a visit. He also appeared in a Real Madrid video in which Carlos Sainz, a dedicated Madridista, competes on FIFA against Courtois.