Caio Jotta Collet Bio
Caio Jotta Collet is a Brazilian racing driver born on April 3, 2002, in São Paulo, Brazil. He has built a promising career in motorsports, progressing through various junior formulas before moving to the American open-wheel racing scene. Collet is set to compete in the IndyCar Series for A. J. Foyt Racing starting in 2026, following successful seasons in lower categories.
Early Life and Background
Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Caio Collet began his racing journey in karting at the age of seven. He achieved multiple karting titles in Brazil before relocating to Europe to advance his career. His performances in karting earned him a spot with the Birel ART team in 2016 and a place in Nicolas Todt’s All Road Management program. Collet has Italian and French ancestry and regards three-time Formula One champion Ayrton Senna as his racing hero.
Collet’s early exposure to competitive racing in Brazil and Europe laid a strong foundation for his single-seater career. His education details are not publicly noted, but his focus on racing from a young age highlights his dedication to the sport.
Path to NASCAR
While Caio Collet has not competed in NASCAR, his path has been oriented toward open-wheel racing. After his karting success, he debuted in single-seaters in 2018, winning the French F4 Championship in his rookie season. He then progressed to the Formula Renault Eurocup, where he raced for two seasons and finished as runner-up in 2020. Collet continued his development in FIA Formula 3 from 2021 to 2023, securing three race wins. His career trajectory has been focused on formula racing, culminating in his move to the Indy NXT series in 2024.
Collet’s steady climb through the junior formulas and his association with development programs such as the Renault Sport Academy (later Alpine Academy) provided him with valuable mentorship and opportunities to refine his skills at higher levels of competition.
Caio Jotta Collet Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Caio Collet began his single-seater career in 2018 with the French F4 Championship, where he dominated by winning the title in his debut season. He achieved seven wins and multiple podiums, showcasing his talent and consistency. Following this success, Collet moved to the Formula Renault Eurocup with R-ace GP, competing alongside notable drivers such as Oscar Piastri and Aleksandr Smolyar.
During his two seasons in Formula Renault Eurocup, Collet secured several podium finishes and his first Eurocup victory at Imola in 2020. He finished runner-up in the 2020 championship, narrowly missing out on the title to Victor Martins. These years were critical in his development, as he gained experience on diverse European circuits and honed his racecraft against strong competition.
FIA Formula 3 Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Collet stepped up to FIA Formula 3 in 2021 with MP Motorsport. He quickly adapted to the series, scoring multiple podiums and finishing ninth in his rookie season. His performance improved over the next two years, with Collet securing three race wins and several podium finishes. In 2022, he demonstrated his ability to compete at the front, taking his maiden F3 victory at the Hungaroring and multiple podiums throughout the season.
In 2023, Collet switched to Van Amersfoort Racing for his third F3 season. He continued to show strong pace, winning a race at Spa-Francorchamps and consistently finishing in the points. He ended the season ninth in the standings with one win and three additional podiums, solidifying his reputation as a competitive and skilled driver in the junior formula ranks.
Indy NXT Era (2024–Present)
In 2024, Caio Collet transitioned to the American racing scene by joining HMD Motorsports in the Indy NXT series. He made an immediate impact, earning his maiden podium at Indianapolis and securing his first series win at Mid-Ohio. Collet finished the season third in the standings, the highest-ranked rookie, with one win and six podiums.
Collet re-signed with HMD Motorsports for the 2025 Indy NXT season. He started strong with multiple podium finishes and three wins, including dominant performances at Laguna Seca. Despite a late-season dip, he finished runner-up in the championship, demonstrating his growth and readiness for higher competition levels. His success in Indy NXT has paved the way for his upcoming move to the IndyCar Series with A. J. Foyt Racing in 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Caio Collet is known for his aggressive yet calculated driving style. He excels on technical circuits and has shown strong racecraft in wheel-to-wheel battles. His ability to manage tire wear and execute strategic overtakes has been key to his success in various series. Collet’s partnership with his teams, particularly HMD Motorsports, has been instrumental in developing race strategies and car setups that maximize his performance.
Notable Races and Milestones
Collet’s career highlights include winning the French F4 Championship in 2018 and his maiden Indy NXT victory at Mid-Ohio in 2024. His performances at iconic tracks such as Spa-Francorchamps and Laguna Seca have showcased his talent on challenging circuits. Key milestones include multiple podiums in FIA Formula 3 and finishing as the highest rookie in his first Indy NXT season.
Caio Jotta Collet Career Wins
Throughout his career, Caio Collet has accumulated wins across several junior formula series. His first major title came in the French F4 Championship in 2018. He has also secured multiple race victories in FIA Formula 3 and Indy NXT, reflecting his consistent competitiveness and ability to convert strong qualifying positions into race wins.
French F4 Championship Highlights
Collet dominated the 2018 French F4 Championship, winning seven races and securing the title with a substantial points margin. His performance included a victory at the prestigious Pau Grand Prix and multiple podium finishes, establishing him as a rising star in single-seater racing.
Indy NXT Highlights
In Indy NXT, Collet earned his first series win at Mid-Ohio in 2024 and added three more victories in the 2025 season, including back-to-back wins at Laguna Seca. His success in this series has been marked by consistent podium finishes, pole positions, and strong points accumulation, culminating in a runner-up finish in the 2025 championship.
Caio Jotta Collet Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Caio Collet’s family background includes Italian and French ancestry. While specific details about his parents or siblings are not publicly documented, his early involvement in karting and progression through racing ranks suggest strong family support for his motorsport ambitions.
Personal Life
Collet has not publicly disclosed details about a spouse or children. He is known to have a strong admiration for Ayrton Senna, reflecting his Brazilian heritage and passion for racing. Collet’s focus remains on his professional career as he advances toward competing at the highest levels of motorsport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 Indy NXT season saw Caio Collet continue his upward trajectory with HMD Motorsports. He started the year with solid podium finishes and secured three race wins, including a dominant double victory at Laguna Seca. Collet consistently challenged for the championship, engaging in a close battle with rival Dennis Hauger.
Despite a strong campaign, Collet fell short of the title by 72 points, finishing as the championship runner-up. His performances demonstrated maturity, speed, and resilience, positioning him as a top contender for future IndyCar competition. The season also highlighted his effective collaboration with his team and crew, setting the stage for his transition to A. J. Foyt Racing in the IndyCar Series for 2026.
