Jan Charouz

Renault F1 reserve driver
Winner of Le Mans Series 2009

Jan Charouz, Czech racing driver. To the highlights of his career belong winnings 2009 Le Mans Series and 2006 F3000 International Masters season as well as fourth place in 2009 24 Hours Le Mans.

OpenWheel career
Jan started his racing driver career at the age of seven in the go-kart racing (Comer 80) in which he participated five years. In 2000 season he moved to the ICA-J class and achieved third place in Czech championship, already in the second year of his participation in ICA-J class. In 2002 season Jan also took part in Czech Touring Car Championships (Ford Fiesta). With his team-mate Erik Janiš they finished first in their class and became the youngest winners of the championship.

One year later Jan moved to the German Formula BMW Championship. In 2004 season he represented Keke Rosberg team. After two years in Formula BMW series Jan got the opportunity to race in the Italian F3000 Championship. Despite the fact he was the youngest driver on the grid, he achieved points-scoring positions regularly. He finished eleventh in the overall standings, even though he missed two final races due to his participation in A1GP World Cup of Motorsport (first race of A1GP at Brands Hatch, GB).

2006
In 2006 Jan Charouz won the F3000 International Masters Championship. He also gained the Award for the best rookie and helped Charouz Racing System team to win the team standings. In 2006 he also became a member of the Czech A1GP team and represented Czech Republic in the end of the second A1GP World Cup of Motorsport season at Brands Hatch, United Kingdom. Jan also participated in other races, including the 24 hours at Spa and Megane Trophy.

Le Mans Series & 24 Hours Le Mans
2007
Jan Charouz became the official test and racing driver of manufacturer team Lola for 2007 season. As the member of Škoda Charouz Racing System-Lola/Judd team he took part in the 2007 Le Mans Series and 24 Hours Le Mans with Lola B07/17 Judd car. In Le Mans Series Jan achieved some good results (2nd in 1000km Valencia, 4th in 1000km Nürburgring) and regularly belonged to the fastest drivers of petrol-engined LMP1 prototypes. Together with his team-mates Alex Yoong (MAL) and Stefan Mücke (GER) he achieved 8th place overall in Le Mans Series in his debut year. The same result (8th place) he gained in 24H Le Mans. Another great success was 4th place overall (3rd in the LMP2 class) in 2007 Petit Le Mans, in which Jan started with Zytek team (UK). Thanks to the results Jan Charouz and his team-mate Stefan Mücke were appreciated by the reputable British magazine Autosport as two of top 10 LMS drivers of 2007 year.

In 2007 Jan occasionally appeared also in Czech Touring Car Championship - Division 4 and 24 Hours races at Daytona and Spa. In the end of 2007/2008 season he started in A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.

2008
In 2008 season Jan Charouz continued in sports car endurance racing, representing Czech Charouz Racing System team. In 24H Le Mans Jan started for the second time in his career, this time with Lola B08/60 Coupe - Aston Martin V12 LMP1 prototype. Jan with his team-mates Tomáš Enge (CZE) and Stefan Mücke (GER) achieved 9th place overall in 24hours race. Jan also continued in 2008 Le Mans Series. With his team-mates Enge and Mücke he achieved two podiums (2nd place in 1000km Barcelona and 3rd place in 100km Silverstone) and gained fifth position overall. Lola B08/60 Coupe - Aston Martin V12 prototype belonged to the fastest petrol-engined prototypes in the starting field again.

2009
Jan competes as the official driver of Aston Martin Racing also in 24H Le Mans and Le Mans Series in 2009 season. To the highlights of the season and also his career belong this year´s 4th place at 24H Le Mans and winning of 2009 Le Mans Series together with team-mates Tomas Enge and Stefan Mucke.

In the end of 2009 season Jan Charouz was awarded with FIA Talent of the Year Award. He assumed the trophy from hands of FIA president Jean Todt. Jan Charouz (together with Tomas Enge and Stefan Mucke) was also awarded with Le Mans – Silverstone Challenge Award, the prize intended for the crew achieving the best combined result in 24 Hours Le Mans and 1000KM Silverstone races.

2010
2009 Le Mans Series winner Jan Charouz enters World Series by Renault 3.5, one of the best feeder series to Formula 1. Jan Charouz and Walter Grubmuller have been announced as the rookie pairing of British P1 Motorsport and they will participate in Auto GP championship with Charouz-Gravity Racing team.