Russia has a rich history of auto racing and some of the best auto racing players in the world come from this country.
From legendary Formula 1 drivers like Vitaly Petrov and Daniil Kvyat to the current crop of talented racers, Russia has produced some of the best athletes in the motorsports world.
Whether it is in Formula 1, rally racing, touring car racing, or even drag racing, Russian drivers have consistently proven to be some of the most competitive and successful in the sport.
We will take a look at some of the best auto racing players in Russia and the impressive feats they have achieved in the sport.
1. Robert Shwartzman
Robert Shwartzman is a talented racing driver who is making waves in the motorsport world. Born in Russia to an Israeli father, he is currently competing in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, driving for AF Corse.
His impressive performances have earned him the admiration of many and he has even been appointed as the reserve driver for the prestigious Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team.
This is a huge accomplishment for the young driver, as Ferrari is one of the biggest and most successful teams in the sport.
His role as reserve driver involves him being on standby in case any of the main drivers are unable to race, allowing him to gain valuable experience of the tracks and learn from the other drivers.
His potential was clearly spotted by Ferrari and they have invested in him for the future. It is clear that Robert Shwartzman is a star of the future and one to watch out for in the years to come.
2. Daniil Kvyat
Daniil Vyacheslavovich Kvyat is a highly successful Russian professional racing driver. He is currently competing in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship for Prema Racing.
Kvyat is no stranger to success, having competed in Formula One from 2014 to 2017 and again from 2019 to 2020.
During this time, he not only achieved impressive results but also gained a great deal of respect from both fellow drivers and the wider motorsport community. Kvyat’s career began in karting, where he quickly made a name for himself by winning numerous competitions.
This early success led him to be signed by the Red Bull Junior Team in 2010, allowing him to compete in various junior championships.
In 2014, Kvyat made his Formula One debut with the Scuderia Toro Rosso team, quickly making a name for himself by finishing fourth in the Australian Grand Prix.
His impressive performance earned him a promotion to the Red Bull Racing team for the 2015 season, where he achieved further success. Kvyat would go on to compete in Formula One for a total of five seasons, with his final season ending in 2020.
During this time, he achieved three podium finishes in the Russian, Singapore, and Japanese Grand Prix’s. However, following the 2020 season, Kvyat decided to move to the World Endurance Championship, joining Prema Racing for the 2023 season.
With his impressive track record and strong drive to succeed, Kvyat looks to be a strong contender in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship.
3. Sergey Sirotkin
Sergey Olegovich Sirotkin is a former professional racing driver from Russia who had a short stint in Formula One in 2018. He was signed by the Williams team and was the only Russian driver to have raced in Formula One that year.
In 2019 and 2020, Sirotkin was the reserve driver for Renault, a role which involved him attending the races and taking part in practice sessions. He was also called upon to drive in the event of any of the team’s regular drivers being unable to do so.
The experience he gained from this role enabled him to gain valuable insight into the world of Formula One, and the racing strategies employed by the teams.
With his Formula One career now over, he is leaving behind a legacy as the only Russian driver to have raced in the sport.
4. Nikita Mazepin
Nikita Dmitryevich Mazepin is a professional race car driver from Russia. He began his career in motor sports at a young age and has since gone on to compete in a number of different series.
Most recently, he was competing in the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series, which is considered to be one of the most demanding and competitive racing series in the world. Mazepin was driving for 99 Racing, a team that is known for its impressive results in the series.
His skill and knowledge of the racing circuits have enabled him to have successful results in the series. Mazepin is an incredibly talented driver and is sure to have a bright future in motor sports.
5. Viktor Shaytar
Viktor Viktorovich Shaytar is a Russian racing driver who is currently part of the SMP Racing driver programme. He is a highly talented driver, having achieved success in various racing championships in the past, including the European Le Mans Series.
Shaytar first began racing in 2008, and since then has competed in various racing series, including Formula Renault, the GT Open and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
He is currently part of the SMP Racing driver programme, which is aimed at developing the next generation of Russian racing drivers.
Through this programme, Shaytar has had the opportunity to take part in a number of prestigious championships, including the European Le Mans Series, the FIA World Endurance Championship and even the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Shaytar has proven himself to be a skilled and consistent driver and has achieved numerous podiums and victories in various series.
With his current involvement in the SMP Racing driver programme, it is likely that we will be seeing more of Shaytar on the track in the near future.
6. Vitaly Petrov
Vitaly Aleksandrovich Petrov is a Russian racing driver who has been in Formula One for the past decade. He began his career in 2010 driving for Renault F1 Team, and then went on to drive for Lotus Renault GP in 2011 and Caterham F1 Team in 2012.
Born in Vyborg, he has earned the nickname “Vyborg Rocket” due to his incredible speed on the track.
Petrov is also noteworthy for being the first Russian to compete in the Formula One World Championship, paving the way for other Russian drivers who have followed in his footsteps.
He is highly respected among his peers, and his status as a pioneer in the Russian Formula One community is undisputed. He continues to be an inspiration to aspiring drivers from his home country and beyond.
7. Sergey Mokshantsev
Sergey Mokshantsev is a Russian racing driver from Moscow. He began his career in racing in 2006 when he entered the Formula RUS series, a series designed for young racers in Russia.
He continued to race in the series for the following year and also made his debut in the Italian Formula Three Championship. This was a big step up for Sergey, as the Italian Formula Three Championship is a renowned and highly competitive series.
Despite the increased difficulty of the series, Sergey was able to prove himself as a competent racer, and he has continued to progress in his career.
He is now a respected racer in the Italian Formula Three Championship and is well on his way to making a name for himself in the world of auto racing.
8. Viktor Shapovalov
Viktor Shapovalov is a Russian auto racing driver who has spent the majority of his career in touring cars. He has competed in events such as the Russian Touring Car Championship and the Dutch Supercar Challenge.
In 1998, Shapovalov had an impressive year in the sport, clinching the 1600 Class Russian Touring Car Cup with a Lada Samara. This victory was a major accomplishment for Shapovalov, as it proved his ability to compete and succeed at the highest level.
He has since gone on to have a successful career in auto racing, showing his talent and skill in the sport. Shapovalov is an inspiration to many aspiring racers, demonstrating that hard work and dedication can lead to great success.
9. Aleksey Basov
Aleksey Mikhailovich Basov is a Russian racing driver who is currently part of the SMP Racing driver programme. He is a highly skilled and successful driver, having achieved multiple victories in competitions across the world.
Basov comes from a long line of successful drivers, with his father being a former racing champion in the Soviet Union. Basov began his career in racing at a young age, competing in both karting and touring car events.
He quickly made a name for himself, showing great potential and skill in both disciplines. This success led him to be accepted into the SMP Racing driver programme.
Through this programme, he has become an integral part of the team, competing in both the European and World Endurance Championship series. Basov’s success has been proven in the various series he has competed in.
He has achieved multiple victories in various championships, including the FIA GT1 World Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA GT3 European Championship.
His success has not gone unnoticed, and he is now regarded as one of the top drivers in the world. Basov’s commitment and dedication to the sport have made him one of the most respected drivers in the world.
He is an inspiration to both aspiring racers and fans alike, providing an example of what hard work and dedication can achieve. Aleksey Mikhailovich Basov is a true testament to the power of racing and the strength of the human spirit.
10. Mikhail Aleshin
Mikhail Petrovich Aleshin is an accomplished racing driver from Russia. He is most known for his success in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, where he was crowned champion in 2010.
His racing career began in 2005 when he first competed in the Formula Renault 2000 Russia Championship. After a successful season, he moved up to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series for the 2006 season, and since then has become one of the most successful drivers in the series.
His success came to fruition in 2010 when he was crowned champion of the series after a successful campaign. He has also competed in the World Series by Renault, and in 2013, he became the first Russian driver to compete in the IndyCar Series.
He has also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and is a two-time winner of the Super Final at the Moscow Raceway. His accomplishments have earned him a lot of respect in the racing world, and he has established himself as one of the top Russian racing drivers.
11. Matevos Isaakyan
Matevos “Matos” Isaakyan is a successful Russian racing driver who is currently part of the prestigious SMP Racing driver programme. He has achieved tremendous success in the racing world at a young age and is considered to be one of the top talents in the sport.
Isaakyan was born in Moscow, Russia in 1999. He started off racing at a very young age, competing in karting events before making his way up to higher levels of motorsport. In 2015, he won the Formula 4 Russian Championship, becoming the youngest ever driver to do so.
His success in Formula 4 earned him a place in the SMP Racing driver programme, which is a part of the SMP Racing Formula One team.
Since joining the SMP Racing team, Isaakyan has competed in a variety of racing series such as the European Le Mans Series, the Blancpain GT Series and the World Series Formula V8 3.5.
In 2017, he placed second in the World Series Formula V8 3.5, making him the highest placed rookie in the series. Isaakyan has proved himself to be a talented driver and is considered to be one of the top prospects for the future of motorsport.
His participation in the SMP Racing driver programme is a testament to his abilities and the potential he has to become a successful racer.
12. Shota Abkhazava
Shota Abkhazava is a Georgian-Russian racing driver and race car designer. His business endeavors have included the ownership of three race tracks in Russia, Georgia and Latvia.
Abkhazava is an accomplished race driver, having competed in numerous racing series including the GP2 Series, Formula Renault 3.5 Series, and FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
He also designs race cars, having created cars for Formula 3, Formula 4 and the World Endurance Championship. Abkhazava is a multi-faceted businessman as well. He owns three race tracks in Russia, Georgia and Latvia.
The three tracks are located in Sochi, Kutaisi and Riga, and provide a unique experience for drivers. They feature a mix of different surfaces such as tarmac, gravel, and even snow.
Abkhazava’s tracks are well-known for their challenging corners and offer a great opportunity for drivers to test their skills. In addition to being a successful businessman, Abkhazava is a passionate racing driver.
He has competed in a variety of racing series, including the GP2 Series, Formula Renault 3.5 Series, and FIA Formula 3 European Championship. He has also been a part of the World Endurance Championship.
His driving skills have earned him several podium finishes, and he is an experienced driver in the world of motorsport. Shota Abkhazava is an inspiring example of someone who is passionate about racing and business.
His accomplishments both on and off the track speak volumes about his capabilities as a driver and businessman. He has achieved success in both of these fields and continues to strive for excellence in both.
13. Evgeny Novikov
Evgeny Maksimovich Novikov is a renowned former Russian rally driver who is best known for his accomplishments in the World Rally Championship (WRC). From 2007 to 2013, Novikov participated in the WRC, where he achieved some impressive results.
His best finish was a fourth place overall in the 2012 season, which is an impressive feat in a sport as competitive as rallying.
In addition to his WRC career, Novikov also competed in several other rally championships, including the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the Russian Rally Championship.
In 2011, he won the Russian title, and in 2012, he finished as runner-up in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Novikov has been widely praised for his driving style, which is characterized by a combination of speed and control.
He is known for his ability to maximize the performance of the cars he drives and for his consistency on the track. Novikov’s career in rallying came to an end in 2013, but he has since become an ambassador for the sport.
He has been involved in the development of young drivers and has been a vocal advocate for improving safety standards in the sport. He is also an avid supporter of the World Rally Championship, and his influence in the sport is undeniable.
Conclusion
Russia has some of the best auto racing players in the world. Whether it’s Formula One, rally or touring car racing, Russian drivers have consistently proven their ability to reach the top of the sport.
Russian drivers have an impressive record of success, winning several world championships and numerous other accolades. Their skill and dedication to the sport have made them some of the most successful auto racers in the world.
