Next race: Alabama Indy Grand Prix, March 29

James Hinchcliffe

James Hinchcliffe,
Born:
December 05 1986
Nationality:
Canada
First race:
Barber, 2011
Races:
161
Wins:
6
Race Win %:
3.73%

About James Hinchcliffe

  • Biography
  • Performance by Circuit Type
  • Wins
  • Results

    • Biography

    James Hinchcliffe was a former IndyCar driver who competed in the series from 2011 to 2021. Over the course of eleven seasons, the Canadian raced in 161 events, achieved 18 podium finishes, and won six races. Currently, he works as a commentator for both IndyCar and Formula 1 broadcasts.

    Road to the IndyCar Series

    Hinchcliffe made his motorsport debut in 2003 in the F2000 Series after winning the TKC Junior Rotax Class Karting Championship. He immediately impressed by finishing third in his rookie season. A year later, he earned the title of ‘Rookie of the Year’ in the American Formula BMW Series and, in 2005, finished third in the Star Mazda Series. This success secured him a seat with the renowned Forsythe Racing in the Champ Car Atlantics, where he managed one victory. Despite only scoring two wins across three years in the Atlantics, Hinchcliffe's consistency helped him secure fourth place in the championship standings in both 2007 and 2008.

    After three years in the Atlantics, Hinchcliffe transitioned to the Firestone Indy Lights series. In 2010, he contended for the championship but narrowly missed out, finishing second in the standings. This performance, however, opened the door to the IndyCar Series in 2011, where he joined Newman/Haas Racing for his rookie season. He made an immediate impact, finishing fourth in only his second race.

    Breakthrough with Andretti Autosport

    Hinchcliffe’s successful debut season led to a move to Andretti Autosport in 2012. He had a strong start but struggled in the latter half of the year, ultimately finishing eighth in the standings. In 2013, he enjoyed a standout season, winning the first race of the year for his maiden IndyCar victory. He went on to claim two more wins that season but dropped in the standings after several DNFs, ending the year eighth overall. In 2014, he remained with Andretti Autosport but struggled to replicate his earlier success, finishing only twelfth in the championship with a third-place finish as his best result.

    Switch to Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and a Life-Threatening Crash

    After a disappointing 2014 season, Hinchcliffe left Andretti Autosport and joined Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for 2015. The season started well with a win at a rain-soaked NOLA Motorsports Park and a fastest lap on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield. However, disaster struck a day after qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. A suspension failure sent Hinchcliffe head-on into the wall at Turn 3, causing severe injuries as debris pierced the cockpit and his legs. Thanks to the quick response of the Holmatro Safety Team, his life was saved, but he missed the remainder of the season. Conor Daly and Ryan Briscoe substituted for him while he recovered.

    Return to Racing with Pole at the Indy 500

    Hinchcliffe made a remarkable recovery and returned to racing in 2016. He stunned fans by claiming pole position for the 100th Indianapolis 500, just a year after his near-fatal crash at the same venue. He finished seventh in the race and thirteenth in the championship, with a second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway as his season highlight.

    Victory in Long Beach

    In 2017, Hinchcliffe completed his comeback by winning the Long Beach Grand Prix. However, apart from two third-place finishes, his results were lackluster, and he finished thirteenth in the standings again. The 2018 season was mixed: he failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 but redeemed himself with a win at Iowa Speedway.

    Final Seasons and Departure from IndyCar

    Hinchcliffe stayed with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in 2019 but was released at the end of the season following the team’s rebranding to Arrow McLaren SP and its switch from Honda to Chevrolet engines. In 2020, he returned to Andretti Autosport for a part-time schedule of six races.

    In 2021, Hinchcliffe made a full-time return to Andretti Autosport. Despite having competitive equipment, it was a disappointing season, with a third-place finish in Nashville as his only top-ten result. Following this, Hinchcliffe announced his retirement from full-time IndyCar racing. He transitioned to a career in broadcasting as an IndyCar commentator for NBC Sports, later adding a role as a driver analyst for Formula 1 broadcasts.

    Performance by Circuit Type

    TypeRacesAvg FinishWinsRace Win %
    Streetcourse5611.571435.36%
    Oval5112.294123.92%
    Roadcourse5213.480811.92%
    Airfield213.500000%

    Wins

    # Jaar Date (ET) Race Type
    1 2013 March 24 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse
    2 2013 May 5 Itaipava São Paulo Indy 300
    São Paulo    		 Streetcourse
    3 2013 June 23 Iowa Corn Indy 250
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval
    4 2015 April 12 Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana
    NOLA Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse
    5 2017 April 9 Streets of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse
    6 2018 July 8 Iowa Corn 300
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval

    Results

    2011
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    April 10 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 24
    April 17 37th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 4
    May 2 São Paulo Indy 300
    São Paulo    		 Streetcourse 9
    May 29 95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 29
    June 11 Firestone Twin 275s Race 1
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 20
    June 11 Firestone Twin 275s Race 2
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 19
    June 19 Grand Prix of Milwaukee
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 6
    June 25 Iowa Corn Indy 250
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 9
    July 10 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 14
    July 24 Honda Indy Edmonton
    Edmonton    		 Airfield 15
    August 7 Honda 200
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 20
    August 14 MoveThatBlock.com INDY® 225
    New Hampshire    		 Oval 4
    August 28 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 7
    September 4 Baltimore Grand Prix
    Baltimore    		 Streetcourse 24
    September 18 Indy Japan - The Final
    Motegi Road Course    		 Roadcourse 15
    October 2 Kentucky Indy 300
    Kentucky Speedway    		 Oval 4


    2012
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 25 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 4
    April 1 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 6
    April 15 38th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 3
    April 29 São Paulo Indy 300
    São Paulo    		 Streetcourse 6
    May 27 96th Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 6
    June 3 Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 21
    June 9 Firestone 550K
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 4
    June 16 Milwaukee IndyFest
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 3
    June 23 Iowa Speedway
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 17
    July 8 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 22
    July 22 Edmonton Indy
    Edmonton    		 Airfield 12
    August 5 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 5
    August 26 GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 26
    September 2 Streets of Baltimore
    Baltimore    		 Streetcourse 15
    September 15 MAVTV 500
    Fontana    		 Oval 13


    2013
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 24 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 1
    April 7 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 26
    April 21 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 26
    May 5 Itaipava São Paulo Indy 300
    São Paulo    		 Streetcourse 1
    May 26 97th Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 21
    June 1 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 15
    June 2 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 19
    June 8 Firestone 550
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 9
    June 15 Milwaukee IndyFest
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 5
    June 23 Iowa Corn Indy 250
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 1
    July 7 Pocono 400
    Pocono    		 Oval 24
    July 13 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 8
    July 14 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 21
    August 4 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 10
    August 25 GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 8
    September 1 Grand Prix of Baltimore
    Baltimore    		 Streetcourse 7
    October 5 Shell Grand Prix of Houston
    Houston    		 Streetcourse 24
    October 6 Shell Grand Prix of Houston
    Houston    		 Streetcourse 3
    October 19 INDYCAR World Championships
    Fontana    		 Oval 4


    2014
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 30 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 19
    April 13 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 21
    April 27 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 7
    May 10 Grand Prix of Indianapolis
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 20
    May 25 98th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 28
    May 31 Chevrolet/Cadillac Grand Prix of Detroit
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 6
    June 1 Chevrolet/Cadillac Grand Prix of Detroit
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 5
    June 7 Firestone 600
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 14
    June 28 Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston
    Houston    		 Streetcourse 5
    June 29 Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston
    Houston    		 Streetcourse 14
    July 6 Pocono IndyCar 500 Fueled by Sunoco
    Pocono    		 Oval 12
    July 12 Iowa Corn Indy 300
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 6
    July 20 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 8
    July 20 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 18
    August 3 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 3
    August 17 ABC Supply Wisconsin 250
    Milwaukee Mile    		 Oval 19
    August 24 GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 12
    August 30 MAVTV 500 IndyCar World Championships
    Fontana    		 Oval 5


    2015
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 29 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 16
    April 12 Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana
    NOLA Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 1
    April 19 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 12
    April 26 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 7
    May 9 Grand Prix of Indianapolis
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 12


    2016
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 13 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 19
    April 2 Phoenix International Speedway
    Phoenix Raceway    		 Oval 18
    April 17 Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 8
    April 24 Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 6
    May 14 Grand Prix of Indianapolis
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 3
    May 29 100th Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 7
    June 4 Chevrolet Dual in Detroit
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 18
    June 5 Chevrolet Dual in Detroit
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 21
    June 26 Road America
    Road America    		 Roadcourse 14
    July 10 Iowa Corn 300
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 9
    July 17 Streets of Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 3
    July 31 Mid-Ohio
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 5
    August 22 Pocono Raceway
    Pocono    		 Oval 10
    August 27 Texas Motor Speedway
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 2
    September 4 Watkins Glen
    Watkins Glen    		 Roadcourse 18
    September 18 Grand Prix of Sonoma
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 12


    2017
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 12 Streets of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 9
    April 9 Streets of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 1
    April 23 Barber Motorsports Park
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 6
    April 29 Phoenix International Raceway
    Phoenix Raceway    		 Oval 12
    May 13 Grand Prix of Indianapolis
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 13
    May 28 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 22
    June 3 Raceway at Belle Isle Park
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 3
    June 4 Raceway at Belle Isle Park
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 20
    June 10 Texas Motor Speedway
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 14
    June 25 Road America
    Road America    		 Roadcourse 20
    July 9 Iowa Speedway
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 10
    July 16 Streets of Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 3
    July 30 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 11
    August 20 Pocono Raceway
    Pocono    		 Oval 20
    August 26 Gateway Motorsports Park
    Gateway    		 Oval 8
    September 3 Watkins Glen International
    Watkins Glen    		 Roadcourse 21
    September 17 Sonoma Raceway
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 22


    2018
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 11 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 4
    April 7 Phoenix Grand Prix
    Phoenix Raceway    		 Oval 6
    April 15 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 9
    April 23 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 3
    May 12 INDYCAR Grand Prix
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 7
    June 2 Chevrolet Dual in Detroit - Dual 1
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 11
    June 3 Chevrolet Dual in Detroit - Dual 2
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 16
    June 9 DXC Technology 600
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 4
    June 24 KOHLER Grand Prix
    Road America    		 Roadcourse 10
    July 8 Iowa Corn 300
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 1
    July 15 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 4
    July 29 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 14
    August 19 ABC Supply 500
    Pocono    		 Oval 20
    August 25 Bommarito Automotive Group 500
    Gateway    		 Oval 15
    September 2 Grand Prix of Portland
    Portland    		 Roadcourse 22
    September 16 Grand Prix of Sonoma
    Sonoma Raceway    		 Roadcourse 15


    2019
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    March 10 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 6
    March 24 INDYCAR Classic
    Circuit of The Americas    		 Roadcourse 16
    April 7 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 6
    April 14 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 9
    May 11 INDYCAR Grand Prix
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 16
    May 26 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 11
    June 1 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix - Race 1
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 9
    June 2 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix - Race 2
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 18
    June 8 DXC Technology 600
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 19
    June 23 REV Group Grand Prix at Road America
    Road America    		 Roadcourse 7
    July 14 Honda Indy Toronto
    Toronto    		 Streetcourse 6
    July 21 Iowa 300
    Iowa Speedway    		 Oval 3
    July 28 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 22
    August 18 ABC Supply 500
    Pocono    		 Oval 20
    August 24 Bommarito Automotive Group 500
    Gateway    		 Oval 12
    September 1 Grand Prix of Portland
    Portland    		 Roadcourse 20
    September 22 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey
    Laguna Seca    		 Roadcourse 9


    2020
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    June 6 Genesys 300
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 18
    July 4 GMR Grand Prix
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 11
    August 23 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 7
    October 2 INDYCAR Harvest GP - Race 1
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 14
    October 3 INDYCAR Harvest GP - Race 2
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 13
    October 25 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 14


    2021
    Date (ET) Race Type FP
    April 18 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
    Barber Motorsports Park    		 Roadcourse 17
    April 25 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg    		 Streetcourse 18
    May 1 Genesys 300
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 23
    May 2 XPEL 375
    Texas Motor Speedway    		 Oval 18
    May 15 GMR Grand Prix
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 18
    May 30 105th Indianapolis 500
    Indianapolis    		 Oval 21
    June 12 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix - Race 1
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 17
    June 13 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix - Race 2
    Detroit Belle Isle    		 Streetcourse 14
    June 20 REV Group Grand Prix
    Road America    		 Roadcourse 15
    July 4 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
    Mid-Ohio    		 Roadcourse 17
    August 8 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix
    Nashville    		 Streetcourse 3
    August 14 Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix
    Indianapolis Road Course    		 Roadcourse 22
    August 21 Bommarito Automotive Group 500
    Gateway    		 Oval 15
    September 12 Grand Prix of Portland
    Portland    		 Roadcourse 27
    September 19 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey
    Laguna Seca    		 Roadcourse 20
    September 26 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
    Long Beach    		 Streetcourse 14