Robert Wickens facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Wickens
Wickens at the 2019 Indianapolis 500
Nationality	Canadian
Born	Robert Tyler Wickens (1989-03-13) March 13, 1989 (age 36) Guelph, Ontario, Canada
IndyCar Series career
14 races run over 1 year
Team(s)	No. 6 (Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports)
First race	2018 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Streets of St. Petersburg)
Last race	2018 ABC Supply 500 (Pocono)
Wins Podiums Poles 0 4 1
IMSA SportsCar Championship career
Debut season	2025
Current team	DXDT Racing
Racing licence	FIA Platinum (until 2021) FIA Gold (2022) FIA Silver (2023–)
Car no.	36
Starts	3
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Poles	0
Fastest laps	0
Previous series
2022-2024 2012–2017 2011 2010 2009 2009 2008–09 2007–08 2007 2007–08 2006 2006 2005–06	Michelin Pilot Challenge DTM Formula Renault 3.5 Series GP3 Series FIA Formula Two British Formula 3 Formula 3 Euro Series A1 Grand Prix Champ Car Atlantic World Series by Renault Formula BMW ADAC Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Formula BMW USA
Championship titles
2023 2011 2006	IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge - TCR Formula Renault 3.5 Series Formula BMW USA
Awards
BBC Rising Star Award INSIDE TRACK Canadian Racing Competing At The Highest Levels of International Competition 2018 IndyCar Series season Rookie of the Year

Robert Wickens (born March 13, 1989) is a Canadian race car driver from Guelph, Ontario. He currently drives in the Sprint Cup of the IMSA SportsCar Championship for DXDT Racing.

Robert has had a very successful career in different types of racing. He finished second in the FIA Formula Two Championship in 2009. In 2010, he was also runner-up in the GP3 Series. He then won the Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship in 2011. After that, he moved to race in the DTM series for the HWA Team.

In 2018, Robert joined the IndyCar Series. He even got the top starting spot in his very first race. Sadly, his first IndyCar season ended early due to a serious crash. This accident left him with a spinal cord injury. Despite this, Robert has worked incredibly hard on his recovery.

In 2022, Robert made an amazing return to full-time racing. He competed in the Michelin Pilot Challenge. He drove a special Hyundai car with hand controls. In 2023, he won the TCR drivers' championship with his teammate, Harry Gottsacker.

Robert's Racing Journey

Starting with Karting

Robert Wickens began his racing journey in karting in 2001. He quickly showed his talent by winning several races. He was a three-time champion in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship. He won titles in 2002, 2003, and 2005. Robert also won races in other karting series.

Racing in Formula BMW

In 2005, when Robert was 16, he started racing in formula cars. He joined the Formula BMW USA series. He earned a special scholarship from BMW. Robert finished third overall and was named the best rookie.

He continued in Formula BMW in 2006. He became a driver for the Red Bull Junior Team. Robert won three races and the championship that year. He also raced as a guest in other Formula BMW events.

Champ Car Atlantic Races

Wickens driving for the Red Bull Junior Team at Houston during the 2007 Champ Car Atlantic season.

In 2007, Robert moved up to the Champ Car Atlantic series. He raced for the Red Bull/Team Forsythe team. He won one race and had three other podium finishes. He ended the season in third place overall.

Formula Renault 3.5 Series

Robert joined the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2007. He raced full-time in 2008 with Carlin Motorsport. He won a race at Silverstone. He finished the season in twelfth place.

In 2011, Robert returned to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. He had an amazing season. He won the championship, beating his teammate Jean-Éric Vergne.

Racing in Formula 3 Euro Series

Robert also raced in the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2008. He won two races that year. These wins happened in rainy conditions. He continued to race in 2009 but did not score any points.

FIA Formula Two Championship

In 2009, Robert was the only North American driver in the new FIA Formula Two Championship. He won the very first race from pole position. He also won the second race, leading the championship early on. Even with some car problems, Robert finished second in the championship.

GP3 Series Racing

In 2010, Robert raced in the GP3 Series with Status Grand Prix. He had a strong start to the season. He finished second in the first race in Barcelona. He ended up leading the driver's standings early on.

Wickens competing at the Hockenheimring during the finale of the 2014 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.

Formula One Experience

In June 2011, Robert became a reserve driver for Virgin Racing. He got to test their car in September. He also took part in a practice session at the 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. After the season, he tested for both Virgin Racing and Lotus Renault GP.

DTM Racing

On April 3, 2012, Robert joined the Mercedes-Benz Junior Team. This team helps young drivers grow. He raced for the Junior Team in the 2012 DTM season. He was one of two Canadian drivers in the DTM series.

IndyCar Racing

Wickens car at Saint Petersburg in 2018 before the race.

In June 2017, Robert joined Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for an IndyCar practice session. He filled in for another driver. In October 2017, it was announced he would race full-time in 2018.

He started his IndyCar career with a bang. He earned pole position in his first qualifying session in March 2018. He led most of the race but a racing incident took him out of the lead.

Wickens finished fifth at the 2018 Kohler Grand Prix.

In May 2018, Robert was named the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. He finished ninth in the famous race. He had several top-five finishes that season. He was climbing the standings quickly.

Pocono Accident

Robert had a very serious crash at Pocono Raceway on August 19, 2018. His car touched another car and launched into the safety fence. The car broke apart, but the driver's safety cell stayed together. Robert was taken to the hospital.

He had many injuries, including fractures to his legs, spine, and arm. He needed several surgeries. Later, it was confirmed that he was a paraplegic. This means he lost the ability to move his legs. Doctors said his spinal cord was bruised, not completely cut. Robert hoped to walk again.

Many things helped Robert survive the crash. He ducked his head, and the car's design protected him. The forces of the crash were spread out as the car broke apart.

His team said that his car number, 6, would be waiting for him when he returned. Robert still earned the 2018 IndyCar Rookie of the Year award. This was despite missing the last three races.

Robert's Recovery Journey

Robert has shown incredible strength in his recovery. In November 2018, he shared a video of himself walking a few steps with machine help. In January 2019, he showed he could ride a spin bike on his own.

In July 2019, Robert drove a parade lap at the Honda Indy Toronto. He used special hand controls. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he competed in online racing events.

On May 5, 2021, Robert drove a race car again. This was 989 days after his accident. He tested a Hyundai car with hand controls. He quickly showed he still had his speed and skill.

Return to Racing

Wickens driving at Lime Rock Park during the 2022 Michelin Pilot Challenge season.

On January 14, 2022, it was announced that Robert would race full-time. He joined Bryan Herta Autosport in the 2022 Michelin Pilot Challenge. In his first race back, he finished third. On June 25, 2022, Robert won his first race since 2017. He won the TCR class at Watkins Glen International. He then won again at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. He finished sixth in the championship that year.

In 2023, Robert continued with the team. He and his teammate, Harry Gottsacker, had a very consistent season. They earned many podium finishes. They won the TCR championship in the final race at Road Atlanta.

In 2024, Robert was involved in an accident during a race in Germany. He was taken to the hospital for observation. His team confirmed he was conscious and okay.

Robert's Personal Life

Robert is the son of Tim and Lisa Wickens. He has an older brother, Trevor. Trevor runs a kart racing team. Robert was inspired by the movie Days of Thunder when he was a child.

On September 28, 2019, Robert married Karli Woods. She is a Canadian YouTuber. They got married in Carmel, Indiana. In July 2022, they welcomed their first child, a son named Wesley Joseph.

Robert's Racing Achievements

Career Summary

^† As Wickens was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
^* Season still in progress.

See also

In Spanish: Robert Wickens para niños