Helio Castroneves

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, when Castroneves was 2 years old, his family moved to Ribeirão Preto, SP. When he was 12 years old, his passion for racing started, always with the support of his parents Castroneves and Sandra, and his big sister, Kati.Castroneves

Castroneves raced Go Karts from 1987 until 1991, collecting a national championship and 2 years of experience in World Cup CIK. In 1992, he moved to Formula Chevrolet, placing 2nd in the Championship. In 1993 and 1994, he raced in F3 South America, finishing second place on both years. In 1995, with 20 years-old, Castroneves moved to England, to be part of the Paul Stewart Racing (PSR) team to compete in the British Formula Three Championship. While with the PSR team, Castroneves finished third in the 1995 British Formula Three standings.

Castroneves made the move to American open-wheel racing in 1996 to compete in the Indy Lights Series for the 1996 and 1997 seasons. He was signed to the Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. team for the 1998 CART season. In 1999, Castroneves competed for Hogan Racing in CART.

Destiny and Roger Penske, however, took note of the Brazilian’s talent and signed Castroneves to Team Penske for the 2000 CART season. The pairing of the quick driver and the superb machines of Team Penske quickly paid dividends as Castroneves scored his first series victory at the 2000 Detroit Grand Prix in his seventh start with the team. It was after this victory that Castroneves debuted his now-famous fence climb that he does to celebrate all of his wins.

Castroneves competed in his first Indianapolis 500 in 2001 as Team Penske. Castroneves wasted little time in etching his name to the Borg-Warner trophy that goes to the race winner as he led 52 laps to pick up his first Indianapolis 500 Borg Warner trophy.

In 2002, Team Penske moved to the IndyCar Series for full-time competition. He became the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in his first two starts – and the fifth driver to win consecutive Indianapolis 500s –when he took the checkered flag in the 2002 edition of the race. In 2009, Castroneves took his third Indianapolis 500 crown, to become just the ninth driver to accomplish that feat.

After that, Castroneves finished twice in second place at Indy 500 (in 2014 and 2017). In 2018, he changed racing series, competed in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar series, still on Team Penske, but a different style of car and racing. The 2019 IMSA season marked the 20th year of Castroneves racing for Team Penske.

In 2020, Castroneves and his teammate Ricky Taylor, won the IMSA championship, with 4 victories and 4 pole positions. In January of 2021, Castroneves signed and won one race only with WTR for the 24 Hours of Daytona.

In May of 2021, Castroneves returned to Indycar, with a new team, Meyer Shank Racing, and in his first race for the team, at Indianapolis, Castroneves won the INDY 500 for the 4th time, becoming only the 4th driver to win the race 4 times. In January of 2022, Castroneves raced and won the 24 Hours of Daytona, with Meyer Shank Racing, making it two in a row. For the 2022 season, Castroneves will return to a full season of Indycar, racing for Meyer Shank Racing, in the 06 car.

Castroneves still possesses the speed and skill necessary to win at the highest levels of motorsports and he continues to have the drive and enthusiasm of an eager rookie racer. One of the most successful and popular drivers of his era, Castroneves is best known in racing circles as a four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and one of the winningest drivers in Indycar history.

Castroneves resides in South Florida with his fiancée Adriana and their daughter Mikaella.