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
DTM
Former teams	Mücke Motorsport HWA Team
Starts	84
Wins	6
Podiums	15
Poles	5
Fastest laps	5
Best finish	4th in 2016
Finished last season	9th (119 pts)
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 Tyler Wickens (born March 13, 1989) is a Canadian racing driver from Guelph, Ontario. He currently drives in the Michelin Pilot Challenge for Bryan Herta Autosport. Robert has achieved many successes in his career. He was runner-up in the FIA Formula Two Championship in 2009. In 2010, he was second in the GP3 Series.

In 2011, Robert won the Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship. He then moved to race in the DTM series for the HWA Team. After the 2017 season, Wickens joined Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for the 2018 IndyCar Series. He even got the top starting spot in his first race!

Sadly, his promising IndyCar season ended early due to a serious crash. This accident left him with a spinal cord injury. Despite this, Robert has shown amazing strength and determination. He has worked hard to recover and return to racing. In 2022, he came back to full-time racing. He now drives a Hyundai car with special 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 career in karting in 2001. He quickly showed his talent by winning several races. He was a three-time champion of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship. This happened in 2002, 2003, and 2005. He also won races in other karting events.

Moving to Formula BMW

In 2005, at just 16 years old, Robert started racing in formula cars. He joined the Formula BMW USA series. He earned five podium finishes, including two wins. This helped him finish third overall and win the "best rookie" award. He also competed in the Formula BMW World Final, finishing sixth.

In 2006, he continued in the series. He later became a Red Bull Junior Team driver. Robert won three races and the championship that year. He also raced in a Formula BMW ADAC event in Germany.

Racing in Champ Car Atlantic

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

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

Success in Formula Renault 3.5 Series

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

He returned to this series in 2011. He had an amazing year, winning the championship. He beat his teammate, Jean-Éric Vergne, in the final race.

Racing in Formula 3 Euro Series

In 2008, Robert also raced in the Formula 3 Euro Series. He won two races, but these were half-points races due to weather. He raced in a few more events in 2009 but did not score points.

Competing in FIA Formula Two

Wickens was the only North American driver in the FIA Formula Two Championship in 2009. He won the first two races of the season. This put him in the lead of the championship. However, he faced some car issues later in the season. Despite this, he finished as the runner-up in the championship.

Joining GP3 Series

In 2010, Robert raced in the GP3 Series with Status Grand Prix. He had a strong start, finishing second in the first race. He won three races that season. He ended up as the runner-up in the championship.

Formula One Experience

In June 2011, Robert Wickens became a reserve driver for Virgin Racing. He got to test drive their car in September. He also participated in a free practice session at the 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This was a big step towards Formula One.

Racing in DTM

On April 3, 2012, Mercedes announced Robert would join their Junior Team. He would race in the 2012 DTM season. DTM is a popular touring car series in Germany. He was one of two Canadians in the series. He won six races and had 15 podium finishes during his time in DTM.

IndyCar Series Career

Wickens car at Saint Petersburg in 2018 before the race.

In 2017, Wickens got a chance to drive for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in an IndyCar practice. In October 2017, it was announced he would race full-time in the 2018 IndyCar Series.

He started his IndyCar career strongly. He earned the pole position in his first qualifying session in March 2018. He led most of the race but finished 18th after a racing incident.

In May 2018, Robert was named the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. He finished ninth in the famous race. He continued to have strong results, finishing in the top five several times. He was climbing the standings, showing great potential.

Wickens finished fifth at the 2018 Kohler Grand Prix.

The Pocono Accident

On August 19, 2018, Robert Wickens was in a serious crash. This happened during a race at Pocono Raceway. His car hit the catchfence and broke apart. Robert was taken to the hospital. He had fractures to his legs, spine, and arm. He also had other injuries. Doctors performed surgery on his spine.

Later, it was confirmed that Robert was a paraplegic because of the crash. This means he lost the ability to move his legs. However, his spinal cord was bruised, not completely cut. This gave him hope for recovery. He even felt some movement in his legs.

Many things helped Robert survive the crash. The car's safety cell stayed together. The forces of the crash were spread out as the car broke apart. His team said his car number, 6, would be waiting for him when he returned. Despite missing the last three races of 2018, Robert won the IndyCar Rookie of the Year award.

Robert's Recovery Journey

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

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

On May 5, 2021, Robert drove a race car again. This was 989 days after his accident. He tested a car with hand controls. He quickly got back up to speed, proving he could still race.

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

Return to Racing

On January 14, 2022, it was announced that Robert Wickens would return to full-time racing. 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! This was at Watkins Glen International. He then won another race 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 of the season.

In 2024, Robert was involved in another accident during a race in Germany. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution. His team confirmed he was conscious and would be okay.

Endurance Racing

Robert also competed in the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual. This was a virtual endurance race. He raced with other drivers in the GTE class.

Robert's Personal Life

Robert Wickens is the son of Tim and Lisa. He has an older brother named 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 and Cosplayer. In July 2022, they welcomed their first child, Wesley Joseph.

Robert's Racing Highlights

Career Summary

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

Images for kids

• 

  Robert Wickens at the 2011 Nürburgring World series by Renault round

• 

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

See also

In Spanish: Robert Wickens para niños