Devlin DeFrancesco

Devlin DeFrancesco (born January 17, 2000) is a Canadian-Italian auto racing driver currently competing in the Asian Formula 3 Championshipwith Absolute Racing. Prior to racing single-seater cars, DeFrancesco also had a career in kart racing, winning the 2013 Canadian National Junior Karting Championship, coming in second in the CSAI Italian Championship and third overall in the CIK FIA European Championship. In 2015, he was selected to be a part of the Generation Ganassi Driver Identification Program, a talent development program sponsored by Chip Ganassi Racing.

Devlin was born on January 17, 2000 to Andrew and Cathy DeFrancesco. Born 15 weeks premature, Devlin only weighed a pound and his eyes were fused shut. Doctors did not expect him to survive, and he was given his last rites by the family priest. Devlin remained in Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre until he was nursed back to health.Defying all odds, aged 6, he started to race go-karts.

Devlin DeFrancesco began racing go-karts in 2006 at the age of 6. Competing in series such as the Florida Winter Tour and the SKUSA Pro Tour. In 2011, he spent a season racing in Italy's kart racing series where he finished 7th in the Final Cup race. By the end of the year, he had made the podium in 12-straight national-level North American races, a record at the time.

In 2013, DeFrancesco won the Canadian National Junior Karting Championship. This was his second Canadian National Championship. Competing in Europe in 2014, he placed 2nd overall in the Italian Championship and 3rd overall in the CIK FIA European Championship.Unfortunately in 2014, he sustained an injury to his wrist that required two surgeries and kept him out of a full racing series for around a year. As part of his rehabilitation, Devlin attended the Carlin Academy where he used a combination of simulators and on-track testing to prepare for FIA Formula 4-style racing.

In 2015, Devlin's talent was recognised as he was selected to be a part of the Generation Ganassi Driver Identification Program, a mentoring and talent development program sponsored by Chip Ganassi Racing aiming to identify and assist up to 10 North American drivers between the ages of 13 and 18. During the official announcement, DeFrancesco was joined by IndyCar driver, Tony Kanaan.

Ginetta Junior Championship

Graduating from karts in 2015, Devlin competed in the 2015 Ginetta Junior Championship with British team, HHC Motorsports. with a best result of 7th during the first race at the Knockhill Racing Circuit. Devlin also secured his first pole position at the Rockingham Motor Speedway, finishing his debut season with 66 points.

Toyota Racing Series

In early 2016, Devlin got his first taste of single-seater racing competing in New Zealand's Toyota Racing Series on the Giles Motorsport team. Over the course of the season, Devlin secured 7 top ten finishes, with a seasons best of 5th at Teretonga Park ending the season 10th overall with a total of 465 points.

MSA Formula

Devlin joined Carlin Motorsports for the 2016 MSA Formula season, graduating from the Carlin AcademyHe took his first win at Thruxton, also securing the fastest lap of the race. Continuing to shine, Devlin took 2 further wins one at Oulton Park and another in Croft.

Euroformula Open

Graduating to Europe, Devlin continued his collaboration with Carlin Motorsport into the Euroformula Open and Spanish Formula 3 Championships in 2017. A strong campaign saw him end the season as Spanish Formula 3 champion earning 3 wins and 5 podiums. Alongside an impressive Euroformula Open campaign, in which he took a victory and 7 podiums, netting 3rd in the championship standings.

FIA Formula 3 European Championship

Following his success in Spanish Formula 3 championship, Devlin joined the FIA Formula 3 European Championship for the final two rounds of the 2017 season.He further teamed up with Carlin in 2018, taking to the track for the opening two races.However was forced to withdraw from the following round to undergo a small dental surgery, which coincided with Round 3 at the Norisring in GermanyFollowing a full recovery, Devlin made the switch to join GP3 Series for the remainder of the 2018 season, teaming up with MP Motorsport.

GP3 Series

Teaming up with MP Motorsport, Devlin joined the field at the second round on the calendar - Red Bull Ring. Tackling a fresh new challenge, Devlin rapidly got to grips with his machinery and relished the opportunity to race in the support series for Formula 1. Debuting in Austria, he earned 11th-place finish, narrowly missing out on points, but making up an astounding 9 places in only his first weekend behind the wheel.

Despite having to miss another round, due to illness, Devlin completed the year in 21st place, with a strong showing in all the remaining races. Equalling his best finish in the final round at Abu Dhabi.

FIA Formula 3

In 2019, Devlin contested the inaugural FIA F3 championship, the series which was formed by the merger of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and the GP3 Series, as part of the Formula 1 support schedule.

Teaming up with Trident Motorsport to contest all 8 rounds, beginning in the first round at Catalunya and culminating in the final round at Sochi.

Taking to the track as part of the 30-car field, the championship saw Devlin fighting wheel-to-wheel against the fiercely competitive field and advancing through the pack at every opportunity. Quick to get to grips with the new machinery, Round 2 at Paul Ricard saw Devlin making up 13 places in the opening stages of the first race , before unfortunately retiring from the race. His strong racing form continued throughout the season, with a series of impressive fights through the pack. Narrowly missing out on points at the Red Bull Ring, he further impressed with strong results atHungaroring, Monza and the closing round at Sochi.

Asian Formula 3

Devlin will contest in the 2019/20 F3 Asian Championship certified by FIA to retain his racing sharpness over the European winter break . The series is competed over 15 races visiting circuits across Asia and the Middle East.

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

Away from single seaters, Devlin has also shown his skill, racing in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Joining the 24 Hours of Daytona 2018 grid Devlin made his first appearance with JDC-Miller Motorsports in the Oreca-Gibson car, affectionately dubbed the ‘Banana Boat’. Placing an impressive 6th on debut, in his first ever endurance race. Returning for the ‘Petit Le Mans’ event at Road Atlanta in October, Devlin and his teammates finished in 9th place.

2019 saw Devlin return to contest the 57th running of the Daytona 24 with JDC Motorsports behind the wheel of the Cadillac DPi, as the youngest prototype driver on the grid. Racing through tough conditions alongside teammates Misha Goikhberg, Tristan Vautier and Rubens Barrichello, the race was ended ahead of the 22nd hour of racing, due to heavy rainfall, which placed the car in 5th place at the flag - his best result to date.

Career summary

As DeFrancesco was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points.Season still in progress.

Complete FIA Formula 3 European Championship results

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

As DeFrancesco was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points.

Complete GP3 Series results

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

Driver did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Results

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

Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results

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

Driver did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

Complete Asian Formula 3 Championship results

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

*Season still in progress