Romania is home to some of the best auto racing players in the world. From the iconic Niki Lauda to the dynamic Max Verstappen, Romania has a long history of producing some of the most talented drivers in the sport.
From the legendary Formula 1 drivers to the up-and-coming stars of the World Rally Championship, Romania has a great pool of racing talent to choose from. In this article, we will be looking at some of the best auto racing players in Romania.
From the record-breaking drivers to the young stars of the future, these are the drivers that you should be keeping an eye out for in the years to come.
1. Doru Sechelariu
Doru Sechelariu is a Romanian racecar driver who has made a name for himself in the racing world. He was born to Dumitru Sechelariu, who served as the mayor of Bacău from 1996 to 2004.
Doru has been a successful driver since his teenage years, competing in go-kart and rally-cross competitions.
He quickly rose through the ranks and now competes in some of the biggest races in the world, including the FIA World Rally Championship and the European Rally Championship. Doru is a highly respected driver, with a strong commitment to safety and a passion for racing.
He has been a role model for many aspiring drivers, and his success has been an inspiration to the Romanian racing community.
2. Filip Ugran
Filip-Ioan Ugran is a professional Romanian race car driver. He is currently competing in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship with Prema Racing.
Ugran had previously competed in the 2022 European Le Mans Series with Algarve Pro Racing, where he placed in the top ten overall. He also competed in the 2022 Euroformula Open Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing, where he achieved multiple podium finishes.
Ugran has shown his skill and determination in the racing world, and it is certain that he will continue to have success in the upcoming season.
His experience and accomplishments will be a great asset to Prema Racing as they strive for first place in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship.
3. Mihai Marinescu
Mihai Marinescu is a well-known Romanian racing driver. He was a regular competitor in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, one of the most highly competitive and popular racing series in the world.
Having achieved several podium finishes, Mihai established himself as one of the top drivers in the series. However, he decided to retire from professional racing in order to take up a new role as a race engineer for the Jenzer Motorsport team.
As a race engineer, he is responsible for developing race strategies, providing technical support to the drivers, and ensuring that the team is well-equipped for the upcoming races.
His expertise has helped the team achieve many impressive results in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. Mihai also works as a mentor for the younger drivers on the team, providing them with valuable guidance and advice.
He is an invaluable asset to the Jenzer Motorsport team, and his contributions have helped them become one of the most successful teams in the series.
4. Robert Vișoiu
Robert Vișoiu is a Romanian racing driver who has made a name for himself in the racing world. Born in Romania, he started his professional racing career in 2010, initially competing in Formula Renault 2.0.
He has since raced in the GP3 Series, the European Formula 3 Championship, and the GP2 Series, as well as competing in several endurance and GT racing series. In 2020, Robert Vișoiu was the champion of the Italian GT Sprint and Endurance Championship, and he was also the first Romanian driver to win the 24 Hours of Silverstone.
In addition, he has had success in other endurance races, including the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, 24 Hours of Spa, and the 24 Hours of Dubai. Robert Vișoiu has shown his skill and determination in the racing world and is a great example of a successful Romanian driver.
Despite his young age, he has achieved a great deal and is continuing to make a name for himself in the racing world. He is a great ambassador for Romania and its racing scene, and it is likely that he will continue to make a name for himself for many years to come.
5. Petru Florescu
Petru Gabriel Florescu is a Romanian racing driver who has made a name for himself in the motor racing world. Born in Bucharest, Romania, he began his career at the age of 17, making his debut in his home country’s national championship.
Since then, he has raced in various championships across Europe, including the Italian F4 Championship, the Euroformula Open and Formula Renault 2.0. Florescu has achieved much success in his career, winning races in the Italian F4 Championship and the Euroformula Open.
He has also been a regular in the top 10 in the Formula Renault 2.0 Championship and has represented his native country in the Formula Renault Eurocup.
In 2016, Florescu was named the Romanian Driver of the Year for his achievements in motor racing. Florescu is also a well-known figure in his home country, having been featured in various publications and television shows.
He is an ambassador for the Romanian Racing Federation and is an active supporter of the development of motor racing in the country.
He is also an international ambassador for the FIA, helping to promote motor racing in underdeveloped countries. Overall, Petru Gabriel Florescu is a highly successful and well-known racing driver who has achieved great success in the sport.
He is a true ambassador for Romanian motor racing, and through his work, he is helping to promote the sport in Romania and other countries.
6. Michael Herck
Michael Herck is a retired professional racing driver who has competed in various motorsport disciplines throughout his career. He was born in Romania but currently resides in Belgium.
Herck began his racing career in the open-wheel racing series of the Benelux region and soon rose to prominence in the world of motorsport. He achieved considerable success in Formula 3 and Formula 3000, eventually earning a seat in Formula 2 and eventually Formula 1.
Herck was able to win several races throughout his career and even earned a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix.
After his retirement from Formula 1, Herck decided to return to his roots and compete in the European Le Mans Series, where he was able to take victories in the GTE-Am class.
He eventually retired from professional racing altogether in 2018, but his legacy as a successful racing driver remains.
7. Georges Bouriano
Georges Bouriano, also known as George Burianu, was an accomplished Romanian racing car driver. He was most well-known for competing in the prestigious Bugatti T35C, with his most notable achievement coming in the 1929 Monaco Grand Prix.
In the race, Bouriano earned a second place finish, making him the last living participant of the race. Bouriano’s career in racing began relatively early, as he was just fifteen years old when he started participating in races.
He quickly rose to the top of the Romanian racing scene and began competing in the Bugatti T35C in the late 1920s. The car was considered to be one of the most advanced racing vehicles of the time, and it was known for its top speed capabilities.
In the 1929 Monaco Grand Prix, Bouriano was able to demonstrate his skills as a driver and maneuver his way to a second place finish. This result earned him a great deal of recognition, as it placed him among some of the greatest drivers of the time.
Unfortunately, Bouriano’s career was cut short due to a tragic accident in 1932. He passed away at the young age of 26, leaving behind a legacy of accomplishment and bravery.
Despite his untimely death, he is remembered for his prowess on the track and his second place finish in the 1929 Monaco Grand Prix. In fact, his memory is so strong that he is still recognized as the last living participant of the race.
8. Valentin Porcișteanu
Valentin Porcișteanu is a driver in the Romanian Rally Championship. He has achieved considerable success throughout his racing career, having won the National Champion title in 2011 and four National Runner-Up titles in 2010, 2012, 2018, and 2019.
Additionally, he won the Colin McRae Flat Out Trophy in 2013. Porcișteanu is an experienced driver who has consistently demonstrated his skill and talent on the track. His achievements are a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport of rally racing.
He has been able to make a name for himself in the Romanian Rally Championship and is a respected and admired driver in the racing community.
9. P. G. Cristea
Petre G. Cristea is widely considered as Romania’s most successful racing driver. Born in Bucharest, Romania, his passion for motor vehicles led him to an early start in the field.
In 1925, when he was just 16 and a half, Cristea forged his ID card and obtained his driving licence despite his young age. This ambition and determination paid off, as he went on to win the 1936 Monte Carlo Rally and become renowned as one of Romania’s greatest racing drivers.
10. Colin Kolles
Colin Kolles is a Romanian-German professional who has a long history in the world of Formula One racing.
He is a former team principal and managing director of the Hispania Racing F1 Team and was also the team principal of the team that has gone through several name changes, from Jordan to Midland, Spyker and Force India from 2005 to 2008.
Kolles has extensive experience in the motor racing industry and has been involved in the sport since the early 2000s. He is considered a respected figure in the industry and is known for his ability to manage complex operations and teams.
His time at the Hispania Racing F1 Team saw him guide the team through a difficult period, and to a number of notable successes. Kolles’ experience and expertise has also seen him serve in a number of other roles in Formula One, such as in the FIA World Motor Sport Council, and as a consultant to several teams.
He is a highly sought-after talent and is recognized for his contributions to the sport.
Conclusion
Romania has some of the best auto racing players in the world, making it a great place for anyone who loves the sport. From legendary drivers like Robert Visoiu to up-and-coming stars like Mihai Marinescu, Romania has a bright future in auto racing.
With so many talented drivers to choose from, Romania is sure to be a top destination for auto racing in the years to come.
