Benjamin Pedersen (born 11 May 1999) is a Danish racing driver. He last raced in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 55 Chevrolet for A. J. Foyt Racing.[1]
| Benjamin Pedersen | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||
| Nationality |  Danish | ||||||
| Born | 11 May 1999 Copenhagen, Denmark | ||||||
| Related to | Christian Pedersen (CEO-Global Racing Group) | ||||||
| Racing licence |  FIA Silver
| ||||||
| IndyCar Series career | |||||||
| 17 races run over 1 year | |||||||
| Best finish | 16th (2023) | ||||||
| First race | 2023 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg) | ||||||
| Last race | 2023 Grand Prix of Monterey (Laguna Seca) | ||||||
| |||||||
| Previous series | |||||||
| 2021-2022 2019-2020 2018-2020 2016-2018 | Indy Lights BRDC British F3 F3 Americas Championship F4 United States Championship | ||||||
Personal life
editBenjamin Pedersen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. At the age of four, his family emigrated to the United States, settling in Sammamish, Washington.[2][3]
After joining A. J. Foyt Racing, Pedersen relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana in 2022.[2]
Career
editLower formulae
editPedersen began his single-seater career in 2016, driving for the Leading Edge Grand Prix in cooperation with Global Racing Group, a team set up by his father Christian Pedersen,[4][5][6] in the F4 United States Championship.[7] While he had strong start with a podium finish at Mid-Ohio, Pedersen ended up tenth in the drivers' standings.
For the 2017 season, Pedersen remained in the F4 US series, partnering Justin Sirgany and Jacob Loomis at Global Racing Group.[8][9] This season yielded more success, as the Dane took podiums in the first two events,[10] before ending the campaign on a particularly impressive note, winning twice in the penultimate round and once more at the season finale, held as part of the 2017 United States Grand Prix weekend. These results led to Pedersen finishing fourth overall, beating both of his teammates.[citation needed]
In 2018, Pedersen returned to tackle the F4 US Championship for the final time, where he took two victories, placing fifth in the standings.[11][12]
Formula Regional & BRDC F3
editParallel to his F4 campaign, Pedersen competed in the inaugural season of the F3 Americas Championship.[13] Despite missing two events, Pedersen finished third overall, being beaten by fellow GRG driver Baltazar Leguizamón.[14]
In 2019, Pedersen performed double-duties in the F3 Americas and BRDC F3 championships, the latter becoming his first venture into European racing.[15][16] In the former, Pedersen won seven races, which included a triple of victories at Sebring, which put him second in the standings.[17] Over in British F3, a victory in the reverse-grid race at Silverstone, coupled with a further podium in Snetterton, left the Dane 14th overall.[18]
A full season of the BRDC British F3 Championship was on the cards for Pedersen in 2020, driving for Double R Racing.[19] He ended the season ninth in the drivers' standings, having taken three podiums including another win in Silvestone.[20]
Indy Lights
editPedersen switched to the Road to Indy ladder for 2021, driving for Global Racing Group in Indy Lights.[21] The season began with a second place at Barber, although he would fail to take any podiums throughout the following three rounds.[22] The Dane, who by this stage was racing under an American licence, bounced back with a podium appearance at Road America before going on to experience a strong second half of the campaign, with four third-placed finishes elevating him to fourth overall.[23][24]
In 2022, Pedersen returned to Indy Lights for his sophomore season.[25][26] Having scored five podiums, which contained his first win in the category at Portland, Pedersen took fifth in the championship.[27]
IndyCar Series
edit
Having tested for Juncos Hollinger Racing at the end of June,[28] it was announced that Pedersen would be entering the IndyCar Series in 2023, driving for the A. J. Foyt Racing team alongside Santino Ferrucci.[29][30] In his first Indianapolis 500, Pedersen was named Rookie of the Year.[31]
Racing record
editCareer summary
edit| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Formula 4 United States Championship | Leading Edge Grand Prix & Global Racing Group | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 57 | 10th |
| 2017 | Formula 4 United States Championship | Global Racing Group | 20 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 147 | 4th |
| 2018 | Formula 4 United States Championship | Global Racing Group | 17 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 166 | 5th |
| F3 Americas Championship | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 183 | 3rd | ||
| 2019 | BRDC British Formula 3 Championship | Global Racing Group | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 200 | 14th |
| F3 Americas Championship | 10 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 221 | 2nd | ||
| 2020 | BRDC British Formula 3 Championship | Double R Racing[32] | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 299 | 9th |
| Euroformula Open Championship | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 15th | ||
| Formula Regional Americas Championship | Global Racing Group | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 12th | |
| 2021 | Indy Lights | Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 356 | 4th |
| 2022 | Indy Lights | Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 444 | 5th |
| 2023 | IndyCar Series | A.J. Foyt Enterprises | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 129 | 27th |
| 2024 | European Le Mans Series - LMP2 | Nielsen Racing | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 22nd |
Complete Formula 4 United States Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Leading Edge Grand Prix | MDO1 1 3 |
MDO1 2 9 |
MDO1 3 5 |
MDO2 1 Ret |
MDO2 2 Ret |
MDO2 3 Ret |
NJMP 1 9 |
NJMP 2 4 |
NJMP 3 10 |
ATL 1 11 |
ATL 2 6 |
ATL 3 10 |
HMS 1 7 |
HMS 2 Ret |
HMS 2 Ret |
10th | 57 | |||||
| 2017 | Global Racing Group | HMS 1 2 |
HMS 2 11 |
HMS 2 Ret |
IMS 1 18 |
IMS 2 15 |
IMS 2 3 |
MSP 1 25 |
MSP 2 16 |
MSP 3 14 |
MDO 1 16 |
MDO 2 8 |
MDO 3 10 |
VIR 1 5 |
VIR 2 9 |
VIR 3 7 |
COTA1 1 1 |
COTA1 2 1 |
COTA1 3 3 |
COTA2 1 1 |
COTA2 2 10 |
4th | 147 |
| 2018 | Global Racing Group | VIR 1 1 |
VIR 2 4 |
VIR 3 5 |
ROA 1 1 |
ROA 2 4 |
ROA 3 3 |
MDO 1 5 |
MDO 2 5 |
MDO 3 4 |
PIT 1 3 |
PIT 2 21 |
PIT 3 7 |
NJMP 1 8 |
NJMP 2 Ret |
NJMP 3 14 |
COTA 1 5 |
COTA 2 Ret |
5th | 166 |
Complete BRDC British Formula 3 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Global Racing Group | OUL 1 Ret |
OUL 2 105 |
OUL 3 10 |
SNE 1 10 |
SNE 2 25 |
SNE 3 8 |
SIL1 1 18 |
SIL1 2 1 |
SIL1 3 10 |
DON1 1 9 |
DON1 2 51 |
DON1 3 10 |
SPA 1 12 |
SPA 2 61 |
SPA 3 17 |
BRH 1 10 |
BRH 2 13 |
BRH 3 14 |
SIL2 1 Ret |
SIL2 2 107 |
SIL2 3 16 |
DON2 1 |
DON2 2 |
DON2 3 |
14th | 200 |
| 2020 | Double R Racing | OUL 1 11 |
OUL 2 4 |
OUL 3 12 |
OUL 4 15 |
DON1 1 9 |
DON1 2 55 |
DON1 3 7 |
BRH 1 8 |
BRH 2 61 |
BRH 3 9 |
BRH 4 10 |
DON2 1 6 |
DON2 2 15 |
DON2 3 9 |
SNE 1 Ret |
SNE 2 611 |
SNE 3 3 |
SNE 4 14 |
DON3 1 6 |
DON3 2 21 |
DON3 3 5 |
SIL 1 15 |
SIL 2 12 |
SIL 3 14 |
9th | 299 |
American open-wheel racing results
edit(key)
Indy Lights
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) (Races with L indicate a race lap led) (Races with * indicate most race laps led)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Global Racing Group w/ HMD Motorsports | ALA 2 |
ALA 7 |
STP 10 |
STP 6 |
IMS 10 |
IMS 9 |
DET 11 |
DET 6 |
RDA 2 |
RDA 7 |
MDO 7 |
MDO 8 |
GTW 3 |
GTW 3 |
POR 4 |
POR 4 |
LAG 3 |
LAG 5 |
MDO 9 |
MDO 3 |
4th | 356 |
| 2022 | Global Racing Group w/ HMD Motorsports | STP 2 |
ALA 2 |
IMS 11 |
IMS 4 |
DET 2 |
DET 6 |
RDA 11 |
MDO 6 |
IOW 9 |
NSH 6 |
GTW 3 |
POR 1L* |
LAG 5 |
LAG 6 |
5th | 444 |
IndyCar Series
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Chassis | No. | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Rank | Points | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | A.J. Foyt Enterprises | Dallara DW12 | 55 | Chevrolet | STP 27 |
TXS 15 |
LBH 24 |
ALA 22 |
IMS 24 |
INDY 21 |
DET 20 |
ROA 21 |
MDO 26 |
TOR 27 |
IOW 27 |
IOW 27 |
NSH 23 |
IMS 26 |
GTW 28 |
POR 22 |
LAG 16 |
27th | 129 | [33] |
Indianapolis 500
edit| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dallara | Chevrolet | 11 | 21 | A. J. Foyt Racing |
Complete European Le Mans Series results
edit| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Nielsen Racing | LMP2 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 | CAT | LEC | IMO | SPA 13 |
MUG 10 |
ALG 11 |
22nd | 1 |
References
edit- ^ "Pedersen Keeping It Simple as Strong 2022 Title Hopeful". IndyCar.com. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ a b Barnes, Joey (27 April 2022). "Road to Indy, Indy NXT: Q&A with Indy Lights Driver Benjamin Pedersen". Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Benjamin Pedersen". ProFormance Racing School. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Advisory and Management Board: Christian Pederson". Global Racing Group. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (28 September 2022). "Foyt signs Pedersen to multi-year IndyCar deal". Racer. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Noakes, Karl (3 May 2022). "The Rise of Benjamin Pedersen". Avant. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Danish Driver announced for FIA US F4 Championship". 26 April 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Last Minute Entries Increase F4 U.S. Grid to More Than 30 Cars". 4 April 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Formula 4 US grid swells to more than 30 cars". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Reger and Forcier win at F4 US season-opener". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Benjamin Pedersen Set to Compete in Both F3 Americas and F4 U.S. at Pittsburgh". 30 July 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Global Racing Group Expands 2018 Campaigns". F4 U.S. Championships. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Benjamin Pedersen Set to Compete in Both F3 Americas and F4 U.S. at Pittsburgh". FR Americas Championship. 30 July 2018.
- ^ "Kirkwood wraps F3 Americas season with COTA sweep". RACER. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Full Inaugural Roster Returns to Robust F3 Americas Field for Season Opener". 3 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Benjamin Pedersen joins Douglas Motorsport for 2019 BRDC British F3 assault". 22 February 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Benjamin Pedersen: Sebring Sweep". FR Americas Championship. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Wert, Trevor (21 June 2019). "Benjamin Pedersen wins at Silverstone!". DirtFish. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Teams & Drivers". BRDC British F3 Championship. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ Magazine, Speedsport. "Race result: BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, Race 38 of season 2020 in Silverstone". www.speedsport-magazine.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports Inks Pedersen for 2021". www.indylights.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- ^ Media, R. T. D. (26 April 2022). "BENJAMIN PEDERSEN AND GLOBAL RACING GROUP LOOK TO ATTACK BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK THIS WEEKEND". RTD Media. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Benjamin Pedersen Puts Global Racing Group on the Podium at Road America – Global Racing Group". www.globalracinggroup.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Ten Wins, Nine Pole Positions and Thirty-Three Podium Results for HMD and GRG – Global Racing Group". www.globalracinggroup.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Pedersen Keeping It Simple as Strong 2022 Title Hopeful". www.indylights.com. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Benjamin Pedersen Set for Sophomore Year of Indy Lights with Global Racing Group and HMD Motorsports – Global Racing Group". www.globalracinggroup.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Lambeth, Kobe (4 September 2022). "Benjamin Pedersen Picks Up First Indy Lights Win At Portland". GRID. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Pedersen To Drive in First NTT INDYCAR SERIES Test with JHR". IndyCar.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Foyt signs Indy Lights race winner Pedersen for 2023". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ Demmendaal, Jeroen (29 September 2022). "Pedersen and Global Racing Group strike deals for a move to IndyCar". Feeder Series. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Indianapolis 500 Purse Reaches New Peak for Second Year in a Row". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, LLC. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "Benjamin Pedersen joins Euroformula grid at Spa with Double R". 10 October 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "Benjamin Pedersen – 2023 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
External links
edit- Benjamin Pedersen career summary at DriverDB.com
- Home - Benjamin Pedersen Official web site