Robert Wickens
A champion-caliber driver whose career was brutally redirected by a crash, he now races with paralyzed legs as a pioneer in adaptive motorsport.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Canadian racing driver·Birthday: March 13·Millennials
Biography
Robert Wickens was on a clear trajectory to become a top-tier North American racing star. A winner in nearly every junior formula he entered, he dominated the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 series and earned a factory drive with Mercedes in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). His seamless move to the IndyCar Series in 2018 confirmed his elite status, winning Rookie of the Year honors and his first race. Then, at Pocono in August 2018, a horrific crash left him with a spinal cord injury and partial paralysis. Wickens's story transformed from one of sporting ascent to one of profound resilience. Through relentless rehabilitation, he returned to competition using hand controls, becoming a powerful advocate for spinal injury research and redefining what is possible for a driver.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Robert was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Robert Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Robert's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship, defeating future F1 champion Jean-Éric Vergne.
- Earned IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 despite missing the final three races due to injury.
- Scored his first IndyCar victory at the Iowa Speedway in only his 11th series start.
- Returned to professional racing in 2022, competing with hand controls in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
Did You Know?
He was a longtime member of the Red Bull Junior Team driver development program.
He and his wife, Karli, created the 'Wickens Foundation' to support those with spinal cord injuries.
He uses a specially modified Acura NSX GT3 with hand controls for braking and acceleration.
He won the 2006 Formula BMW USA championship at age 17.
“I'm not done yet. I still have a lot of fight left in me.”
