The Life-Altering Crash

During a 2018 IndyCar race at Pocono Raceway, Robert Wickens experienced a devastating crash that would change his life forever. Colliding with Ryan Hunter-Reay, Wickens’ car was launched into the air, striking the fencing surrounding the track. The impact resulted in multiple severe injuries, including a thoracic spinal fracture, neck fractures, severe breaks in both legs, rib fractures, and a pulmonary contusion. Unfortunately, he also suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

A Promising Career Cut Short

At the time of the accident, Wickens was gaining traction in the competitive world of IndyCar racing. He had secured seven top-five finishes in just 14 races, placed ninth in the Indianapolis 500, and was honored as the Rookie of the Year. The severity of his injuries raised questions about his future in racing, but Wickens never considered retirement.

“I thought I was going to make the first (IndyCar) race in March the following year,” said Wickens. “We were always talking about what (racing) would look like if I used hand controls. It was never a question; it was a question of ‘How? Where?’”

Return to the Track

Defying expectations, Wickens returned to competitive racing just over three years after his accident, adapting to his new reality with a specially designed hand-controlled throttle and braking system. This innovative technology allowed him to compete in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, culminating in a successful campaign that saw him capture the drivers’ championship in 2023.

This upcoming weekend marks a significant milestone as Wickens transitions to the IMSA SportsCar Championship, where he will race in the GTD class. Co-driving a Chevrolet Corvette with DXDT Racing, he will compete against top-tier brands like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Porsche.

Innovative Adaptations

Wickens’ hand control system operates similarly to those found in road vehicles but is meticulously fine-tuned for competitive racing. “The best thing about my new system with Bosch is that the tuning can happen in the background because this is an electronic braking system,” Wickens explained. “If I want more brake sensation or less, I can adjust it directly from the steering wheel.”

Team dynamics also prompted Bosch to create an efficient way to switch between Wickens and his teammate Tommy Milner, who uses standard pedals. Milner remarked, “There’s just one button that either of us has to push to put it in the mode that we want and that switches all the systems over within a second.”

Advocating for Accessibility

Despite the challenges he faced, Wickens emphasizes the importance of making adaptive racing technologies more accessible for all drivers. He envisions a future where hand-control systems could be integrated into standard vehicles, potentially making it easier for individuals with disabilities to drive. “I have naive dreams of thinking that there could be a Robert Wickens steering wheel that can just fit into every road car in the world,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The event in Long Beach is just the beginning of a series of races in 2025 for Wickens, who is also open to the possibility of a full-time position in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. His aspirations extend to competing again in the Indianapolis 500, reflecting his enduring passion for the sport.

Though Wickens downplays his role as an inspiration, many acknowledge his determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. “I personally don’t feel like I’m an inspiration to anybody, but I’m always kind of humbled when people tell me that I am,” he said. “There are people racing all over the world with disabilities. I’m just fortunate that I had a platform to show my progress.”