Oliver Askew
Askew in 2023
NationalityUnited States American
Sweden Swedish
Born (1996-12-12) December 12, 1996 (age 27)
Melbourne, Florida U.S.
IndyCar Series career
17 races run over 2 years
Team(s)No. 7 (Arrow McLaren SP), No 45 (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing)
First race2020 Genesys 300 (Texas)
Last race2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (Long Beach)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 1 0
Previous series
Championship titles
Awards
2016Team USA Scholarship

Oliver Clark Askew (born December 12, 1996) is an American-Swedish[1] race car driver who races under the American flag. He is the 2019 Indy Lights champion.[2]

Personal life

Oliver Askew was born in Melbourne, Florida and raised in Jupiter. With his mother hailing from Sweden, Askew is bilingual in Swedish.[3] Throughout his career, Askew frequently raced alongside friend and fellow Jupiter native Kyle Kirkwood.[4]

Racing career

Early career

Askew began karting at the age of 8 in Jupiter. He finished third and sixth in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, and won the BNL Senior Max series in his European debut in 2015. At the end of the year, he signed with Absolute Racing to make his open-wheel debut in the last two rounds of the Formula Masters China, with two podium finishes in six races, but he failed to secure a racing program for 2016 due to a lack of funding.[5]

In 2016, after being spotted during a winning performance in a one-off Skip Barber Racing Summer Series round at Road America, Askew was selected as a Team USA Scholarship recipient.[6] This enabled him to compete in the Formula Ford Festival and the Walter Hayes Trophy, in which Askew won his heat and finished second in the final. Later in 2016, he won the $200,000 2016 Mazda Road to Indy Shootout at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to compete in the 2017 USF2000 championship.[7]

USF2000

Askew won the 2017 USF2000 championship. The win earned him a $400,000 scholarship from Mazda to race in the 2018 Pro Mazda series, the middle step on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system to IndyCar racing.[8] In May 2017, Askew joined the Rising Star Racing program which attempts to aid young American open-wheel drivers advance in their careers.[9]

Pro Mazda

In February 2018, Askew signed with Cape Motorsports to drive in the 2018 Pro Mazda series.[10] Askew scored his first Pro Mazda victory in Race 1 at Portland.[11] He finished the 2018 season third in the Pro Mazda championship.

Indy Lights

In September 2018, Askew partook in the Chris Griffis Memorial Test with Andretti Autosport.[12] In February 2019, Andretti confirmed Askew would race with them in the forthcoming championship.[13] Askew won the 2019 Indy Lights championship, clinching at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. In winning the championship, Askew has been awarded a scholarship which guarantees him an entry into a minimum of three races in the 2020 IndyCar Series, including the Indianapolis 500.[14]

IndyCar

In July 2019, Askew joined the Portland test with Chip Ganassi Racing.[15] On October 28, 2019, Arrow McLaren SP announced that Askew, alongside Patricio O'Ward, would race full-time for the team in 2020.[16] A hard crash at the 2020 Indianapolis 500 left Askew with concussion-like symptoms; after racing the next four events, Askew sought treatment and was withdrawn from the harvest Grand Prix rounds.[17] He was later cleared to return for the season finale.[18] On October 12, AMSP dropped Askew in advance of 2021 without giving a reason why.[19]

Askew returned to IndyCar with AMSP for the second race of the Detroit Grand Prix, standing in for the injured Felix Rosenqvist after the latter crashed heavily during the first race.[20] He raced with Ed Carpenter Racing at the following race at Road America in place of the injured Rinus VeeKay.[21]

In July 2021 Askew tested with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at Barber Motorsports Park alongside Danish Formula 2 driver Christian Lundgaard.[22] He later signed to drive the third Rahal entry for the final three races of the season.[23] Askew's three race run with the team was mixed. He recorded a top ten finish and a RLL's only Fast Six qualifying slot on a road or street course at Laguna Seca but was caught up in accidents at Portland and Long Beach. He also caused significant damage to the #45 car in a crash in qualifying at Long Beach. Ultimately RLL chose Christian Lundgaard to drive the third RLL car full time in 2022, ending Askew's chances with the team.

Sports car career

In January 2021, Askew made his sports car racing debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona driving for Riley Motorsports in the LMP3 class. Askew would go on to win the race in that class.[24]

Formula E

Avalanche Andretti Formula E (2022)

In November 2021, it was announced that Askew would reunite with Andretti to partake in his rookie season of Formula E the following year, partnering Jake Dennis.[25] He managed to score his first points in Formula E on his debut, after finishing 9th at the Diriyah ePrix.[26]

Askew departed Andretti after just one season despite being rookie of the year, with his seat being taken by André Lotterer.[27] Askew left the series following the season after being unable to secure a seat.

After Formula E

During the 2023 season, Askew would become a commentator for the Formula E broadcasting team, accompanying former Formula E Champion Nelson Piquet Jr and Naomi Schiff, starting with the Mexico City ePrix.[28] It would ultimately be his only season as a Formula E commentator.

Racing record

Career summary

Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2015 Formula Masters China Absolute Racing 6 0 0 0 2 34 10th
2017 U.S. F2000 National Championship Cape Motorsports 14 7 7 8 11 351 1st
F2000 Championship Series N/A 2 0 0 2 0 46 25th
2018 Pro Mazda Championship Cape Motorsports 16 1 3 2 5 303 3rd
2019 Indy Lights Andretti Autosport 18 7 7 5 15 486 1st
2020 IndyCar Series Arrow McLaren SP 12 0 0 0 1 195 19th
2021 IMSA SportsCar Championship - LMP3 Riley Motorsports 1 1 0 0 1 1744 6th
Forty7 Motorsports 1 0 0 0 0
Andretti Autosport 5 0 0 1 0
IndyCar Series Arrow McLaren SP 1 0 0 0 0 61 29th
Ed Carpenter Racing 1 0 0 0 0
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing 3 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Formula E Avalanche Andretti Formula E 16 0 0 0 0 24 16th

* Season still in progress.

American open–wheel racing results

U.S. F2000 National Championship

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rank Points
2017 Cape Motorsports STP
2 		STP
1 		BAR
1 		BAR
1 		IMS
1 		IMS
1 		ROA
17 		ROA
3 		IOW
1 		TOR
2 		TOR
12 		MDO
1 		MDO
4 		WGL
2 		1st 351

Pro Mazda Championship

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rank Points
2018 Cape Motorsports STP
5 		STP
6 		BAR
7 		BAR
12 		IMS
2 		IMS
4 		LOR
6 		ROA
9 		ROA
8 		TOR
4 		TOR
2 		MOH
6 		MOH
3 		GMP
5 		POR
1 		POR
3 		3rd 303

Indy Lights

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Rank Points
2019 Andretti Autosport STP
3 		STP
10 		COA
1 		COA
1 		IMS
2 		IMS
3 		INDY
1 		RDA
5 		RDA
3 		TOR
2 		TOR
1 		MDO
1 		MDO
1 		GTW
1 		POR
2 		POR
3 		LAG
4 		LAG
2 		1st 486

IndyCar Series

(key)

Year Team Chassis No. Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rank Points Ref
2020 Arrow McLaren SP Dallara DW12 7 Chevrolet TXS
9 		IMS
26 		ROA
15 		ROA
21 		IOW
3 		IOW
6 		INDY
30 		GTW
14 		GTW
17 		MDO
19 		MDO
15 		IMS IMS STP
16 		19th 195 [29]
2021 ALA STP TXS TXS IMS INDY DET DET
25 		29th 61 [30]
Ed Carpenter Racing 21 ROA
12 		MDO NSH IMS GTW
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing 45 Honda POR
24 		LAG
9 		LBH
22

* Season still in progress.

Indianapolis 500

Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
2020 Dallara Chevrolet 21 30 Arrow McLaren SP

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rank Points
2021 Riley Motorsports LMP3 Ligier JS P320 Nissan VK56DE 5.6 L V8 DAY
1† 		6th 1744
Andretti Autosport MDO
6 		WGL
4 		WGL
4 		ELK
5 		PET
10
Forty7 Motorsport Duqueine M30 - D08 SEB
4

† Points only counted towards the Michelin Endurance Cup, and not the overall LMP3 Championship. * Season still in progress.

Complete Formula E results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Chassis Powertrain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pos Points
2021–22 Avalanche Andretti Formula E Spark SRT05e BMW iFE.21 DRH
9 		DRH
11 		MEX
17 		RME
14 		RME
15 		MCO
15 		BER
15 		BER
15 		JAK
13 		MRK
11 		NYC
19 		NYC
Ret 		LDN
4 		LDN
Ret 		SEO
Ret 		SEO
5 		16th 24

References

  1. ^ Nyström, Magnus (March 5, 2020). "Oliver Askew okänd svensk i Indycar 2020 - har dubbelt medborgarskap" (in Swedish). Expressen. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  2. ^ "Oliver Askew". indycar.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  3. ^ "10 Questions with Oliver Askew – Motorsports Tribune" Archived August 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine "Motorsports Tribune"
  4. ^ "Catching Up with Kyle Kirkwood and Oliver Askew, Part One". November 15, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  5. ^ "US Kart Star Askew Set for Open-Wheel Debut at Zhuhai – eKartingNews". ekartingnews.com. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  6. ^ DeHarde, Christopher (January 12, 2017). "Oliver Askew: A Diamond in the Rough". Motorsports Tribune. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "MRTI: Oliver Askew’s two-month, two-scholarship wild ride" NBCSports.com
  8. ^ "Askew wraps USF2000 title as VeeKay wins Watkins Glen finale" "NBC Sports"
  9. ^ "Oliver Askew formally confirmed on Rising Star Racing program" NBC Sports
  10. ^ "Oliver Askew says staying with Cape Motorsports for Pro Mazda “a no-brainer”" Formula Scout
  11. ^ "Askew wins, VeeKay takes Pro Mazda title in Portland Race 1" Racer.com
  12. ^ "Askew leads Indy Lights as Chris Griffis Test concludes". September 23, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  13. ^ "ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT ADDS ASKEW TO INDY LIGHTS ROSTER". February 11, 2019. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  14. ^ “ Indy Lights: Askew clinches 2019 title while VeeKay wins Laguna Seca race 1”
  15. ^ Miller, Robin (July 27, 2019). "Askew set for Ganassi IndyCar test". RACER. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  16. ^ "ARROW MCLAREN SP CONFIRMS O'WARD, ASKEW FOR 2020 SEASON". IndyCar.com. INDYCAR. October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  17. ^ Fryer, Jenna (September 24, 2020). "IndyCar: Askew sidelined with concussion symptoms, Helio in". Associated Press. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  18. ^ Pruett, Marshall (October 20, 2020). "Askew cleared for St Pete return". Racer. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  19. ^ Pruett, Marshall (October 12, 2020). "AMSP to split with Askew after St Petersburg". Racer. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  20. ^ "Oliver Askew will replace Felix Rosenqvist at IndyCar Detroit - NBC Sports". MotorSportsTalk | NBC Sports. June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  21. ^ Pruett, Marshall (June 18, 2021). "Askew impresses in ECR debut at Road America". Racer.com. Racer Marketing and Media. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  22. ^ Medland, Chris (July 27, 2021). "F2 race winner Lundgaard tests an IndyCar for Rahal". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  23. ^ Malsher-Lopez, David (September 1, 2021). "Askew to race for RLL in final three 2021 IndyCar rounds". Motorsport.com.
  24. ^ Pruett, Marshall (January 31, 2021). "Askew thrilled after acing IMSA debut". RACER. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  25. ^ Malsher-Lopez, David (November 24, 2021). "Askew joins Dennis in Andretti Formula E squad". Autosport. Motorsport Network. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  26. ^ "Askew: Diriyah Formula E debut 'most fun racing in a long time'". www.autosport.com. January 29, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  27. ^ Boxall-Legge, Jake (September 6, 2022). "Lotterer to remain in Formula E with Andretti, Askew out". Motorsport.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  28. ^ https://www.automobilsport.com/race-categories--24/race-categories--24,246699,Formula-E---Where-to-watch-the-first-race-of-the-season-and-the-debut-of-the-all-new-Gen3-race-car,news.htm[bare URL]
  29. ^ "Oliver Askew – 2020 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  30. ^ "Oliver Askew – 2021 NTT IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.

External links

Sporting positions Preceded byAnthony Martin U.S. F2000 National ChampionshipChampion 2017 Succeeded byKyle Kirkwood Preceded byPatricio O'Ward Indy LightsChampion 2019 Succeeded byKyle Kirkwood 2021
Avalanche Andretti Formula E
Teams and drivers competing in the 2023–24 Formula E season
Categories