Louis Charles Hubert Delétraz Bio
Louis Charles Hubert Delétraz, born on April 22, 1997, in Geneva, Switzerland, is a Swiss professional racing driver. He currently competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing and in the European Le Mans Series for AO by TF. Delétraz is a two-time defending European Le Mans Series champion and the 2015 Formula Renault Northern European Cup winner. He is the son of former Formula One and Le Mans 24 Hours driver Jean-Denis Delétraz.
Early Life and Background
Louis Delétraz was introduced to racing by his father, Jean-Denis Delétraz, a former Formula One and endurance racer. His father initially forbade him from kart racing competitively until he was ten years old, leading Louis to begin racing with soap boxes, which he built together with his father. He began karting in Switzerland in 2008, winning the Vega Trofeo Super Mini class in 2009 and the Vega Trofeo Junior championship in 2011.
Delétraz’s early exposure to motorsport was shaped by his family background and his gradual progression through karting ranks. His formative years included notable finishes in the KF3 Bridgestone Cup Switzerland and other junior karting categories. Although specific details about his formal education are not publicly documented, his early commitment to racing set the foundation for his professional career.
Path to Professional Racing
Delétraz transitioned from karting to single-seater racing in 2012, competing in the Formula BMW Talent Cup where he won a race and demonstrated early promise. He moved on to Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup in 2013 with Josef Kaufmann Racing, finishing 19th in his debut season. In 2014, he improved significantly, winning the opening race at Monza and finishing runner-up in the championship. In 2015, he won the Formula Renault Northern European Cup while also competing in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 series.
His success in Formula Renault earned him a place in the BMW Motorsport Junior Programme in 2015. Delétraz made his debut in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2015 and competed full-time in 2016, finishing as runner-up. He also progressed to the GP2 Series (later FIA Formula 2 Championship), making his debut in 2016 and racing full seasons through 2020 with various teams, including Carlin, Racing Engineering, Rapax, and Charouz Racing System.
Louis Delétraz Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
Delétraz began his single-seater career in 2012 with the Formula BMW Talent Cup, winning a race and showing strong pace. He then competed in Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup from 2013 to 2015, gradually improving his results and winning the championship in 2015. During this period, he also participated in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 series and made his debut in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2015, gaining valuable experience in higher-powered cars.
His early career was marked by steady development and key achievements, including multiple race wins and podiums in Formula Renault categories. His involvement in the BMW Motorsport Junior Programme in 2015 further supported his growth as a professional driver.
Formula 2 and GP2 Series Breakthrough (2016–2020)
Delétraz made his GP2 Series debut in 2016 with Carlin, finishing the season without points but gaining experience. He competed full-time in the FIA Formula 2 Championship from 2017 to 2020 with teams such as Racing Engineering, Rapax, Charouz Racing System, and Carlin. His best championship finishes were eighth place in 2019 and 2020. He achieved several podiums, including second-place finishes in sprint races at Monaco and Silverstone.
During this period, Delétraz also joined Renault’s young driver program in 2016 and later served as a simulator and development driver for the Haas Formula One Team in 2019 and 2020. He participated in the 2018 Formula One Young Driver Test with Haas, completing 117 laps. Despite not securing a race seat, these roles enhanced his technical skills and exposure to top-level motorsport.
Endurance Racing Success and Current Era (2020–Present)
Delétraz transitioned to endurance racing in 2020, competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual race, which he won with Rebellion Williams eSports. He also raced in the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP1 category with Rebellion Racing, finishing fourth. From 2021 onwards, he achieved significant success in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
In 2021, Delétraz won the ELMS LMP2 championship with Team WRT alongside Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye. He continued to compete in ELMS and WEC with various teams, including AO Racing and Prema Racing, securing multiple wins and podiums. In 2023, he joined Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, driving the #40 car. That year, he also won the Auto Sport Schweiz Award for special services to Swiss motorsport.
Driving Style and Strengths
Louis Delétraz is known for his adaptability across different racing disciplines, excelling in endurance racing where consistency and strategic racecraft are crucial. His ability to perform under pressure, combined with technical feedback skills developed during his Formula One simulator roles, makes him a valuable asset to his teams. He demonstrates strength on diverse track types and maintains strong partnerships with crew chiefs and teammates.
Notable Races and Milestones
Delétraz’s career highlights include winning the Formula Renault Northern European Cup in 2015, clinching multiple European Le Mans Series titles, and securing the final LMP2 World Endurance Championship title in 2023 with Team WRT. His endurance racing milestones include pole positions and victories at prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. His resilience was evident in overcoming setbacks during races, including recovering from crashes and penalties.
Louis Delétraz Career Wins
Louis Delétraz has accumulated numerous wins across various racing series, particularly in endurance racing and Formula Renault championships. His most notable achievements are in the European Le Mans Series, where he has won multiple titles and races, establishing himself as one of the leading drivers in the LMP2 category.
European Le Mans Series Highlights
Delétraz won the European Le Mans Series LMP2 championship in 2021, 2022, and 2023, becoming the first driver to secure three LMP2 titles in the series. His victories include key races at Barcelona, Paul Ricard, and Spa-Francorchamps. These wins were instrumental in his teams’ championship successes and solidified his reputation in endurance racing.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his ELMS success, Delétraz has achieved podiums and wins in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA SportsCar Championship. He has also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving strong finishes and pole positions in the Pro-Am category. His early career featured wins in Formula Renault and strong performances in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.
Louis Delétraz Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Louis Delétraz is the son of Jean-Denis Delétraz, a former Formula One and Le Mans 24 Hours driver. This family connection to professional motorsport provided Louis with early exposure to racing culture and mentorship. His father’s experience influenced Louis’s development and passion for racing.
Personal Life
Details about Louis Delétraz’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly disclosed. He maintains an active presence on social media platforms, engaging with fans and sharing updates about his racing career.
2025 Season Performance
For the 2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship season, Louis Delétraz remains with Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing as the team transitions to the Cadillac V-Series.R chassis. He continues to drive the #40 car alongside teammate Ricky Taylor. The season has seen mixed results, including a notable incident at the 24 Hours of Daytona where Delétraz spun into a barrier, impacting the team’s race. Despite setbacks, the team remains competitive, leveraging the experience of drivers like Delétraz and Kamui Kobayashi, who joined for endurance events.
Delétraz’s focus for the season includes maintaining consistency and capitalizing on the new car’s capabilities. His partnership with the team aims to build momentum and secure strong finishes in marquee endurance races. The outlook for 2025 is cautiously optimistic as the team adapts to new machinery and competition intensifies.