Oliver Jonathan Turvey (born 1 April 1987) is a British professional racing driver, who most recently competed in Formula E, and is currently signed to DS Penske as a reserve driver and a sporting advisor. He was a notable kart racer, with two national titles, and was the 2006 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner. His career has been supported by the Racing Steps Foundation.[1]
| Oliver Turvey | |
|---|---|
 Turvey in 2012 | |
| Nationality |  British |
| Born | 1 April 1987 Penrith, Cumbria, England |
| Formula E career | |
| Debut season | 2014–15 |
| Racing licence |  FIA Platinum |
| Former teams | NIO Formula E Team |
| Starts | 86 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Poles | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Best finish | 10th in 2017–18 |
| Finished last season | 18th (6 pts) |
| Previous series | |
| 2004–06 2007 2007 2008 2009 2009–10–2011 2011 2013 | Formula BMW UK Italian FRenault Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 British Formula 3 Formula Renault 3.5 Series GP2 Asia Series Blancpain Endurance Series European Le Mans Series |
| Awards | |
| 2006 2008 | McLaren Autosport Award Cambridge Full Blue |
Career history edit
Karting edit
Like many aspiring junior racing drivers, Penrith-born Turvey began his karting career at eight years old. After three seasons, he progressed to the British Cadet Championship in 1999, in which he was placed fifth overall, and was selected as a member of the English National team, which won that year's Inter-nation Championship. In 2000, Turvey graduated to the Junior Yamaha National Championship and won the title. After a season in Junior TKM, he moved on to the Junior Rotax class in 2002 and added that title to his collection.
Car racing edit
Turvey made his formula single seater debut in the 2003 British Formula Renault Winter Series and spent the remainder of the season competing in Zip Formula, in which he was the highest-placed rookie. In 2004, he sidestepped into Formula BMW UK with Team SWR and achieved one race win. At the end of the season, he made a one-off Formula Three debut in the Promotion class of the Asian F3 Championship.
In the following season, Turvey stayed with Team SWR in Formula BMW, making eight appearances (each with two race starts) in the ten-round championship. Budgetary restrictions prevented him from entering more than seven rounds in 2006, but points scores in every race (including five wins) secured second place overall. At the Formula BMW World Final in Valencia, he was the highest-placed British finisher in sixth position. Turvey ended the year by beating five other finalists to win the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.[2]
Although Turvey was expected to graduate to the British F3 Championship in 2007,[3] he has instead opted for the opportunity of competing in continental Europe. He spent the season dovetailing a dual program in Italian Formula Renault and the Formula Renault Eurocup with the experienced Jenzer Motorsport organisation.[4] In 2008, he was runner-up in the British Formula 3 Championship, behind teammate Jaime Alguersuari.
Turvey competed in the World Series by Renault for 2009, where he was once again paired with Alguersuari at Carlin.[5] He won a single race and finished the championship as top rookie, in fourth position. He competed in the 2009–10 GP2 Asia Series season and took part in the 2010 GP2 Series season for the iSport International team.[1]
On 16 November 2010 he took part in the Formula One young drivers test in Abu Dhabi driving for McLaren. Turvey set the second fastest time, 1.1 seconds slower than the quickest time set by Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.[6]
With his Racing Steps Foundation backing having expired at the end of 2010, Turvey was unable to raise a budget for another GP2 season in 2011. However, he was drafted by Carlin—the team now competing in its first year of GP2—to replace Mikhail Aleshin for the third round of the championship in Monaco; Aleshin also struggling to find enough money for a full season.[7] He finished in the points in his comeback race, but was subsequently penalised due to jumping the start. He was replaced for the following round by Álvaro Parente, and finished 25th in the championship. Prior to the start of the 2011 GP2 Series Turvey drove in the 2011 GP2 Asia Series season for Ocean Racing Technology.[8]
Aside from his GP2 drives, Turvey also competed in selected rounds of the 2011 Blancpain Endurance Series season for CRS Racing, competing alongside Andrew Kirkaldy and Alvaro Parente in a McLaren MP4-12C GT3.[9]
Turvey joined Gary Paffett as a test driver for McLaren for the 2012 Formula One season.[10]
In 2013 Turvey stepped up from GTs to Sports Prototypes by signing a deal with Jota Sport to race their LMP2 Zytek Z11SN-Nissan in the 2013 European Le Mans Series season and selected rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans.[11] Turvey qualified on pole position and won his first start in the car, at the opening rain-shortened ELMS round at Silverstone.[12]
In February 2014 it was announced that Turvey would partner Fabien Giroix and John Martin in an LMP2 Oreca 03-Nissan run by Delta Motorsport and Millennium Racing for an assault on the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship season.[13] However the team's plans received a setback when they withdrew from the season-opening 6 Hours of Silverstone due to delays in receiving funding.[14] They subsequently missed the second round of the WEC and the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans due to their financial problems.[15] However Turvey received a call up from the Jota squad to race at Le Mans when Jota and Audi reserve driver Marc Gené replaced Audi driver Loïc Duval when the latter was injured in a practice crash. Turvey subsequently shared the LMP2 class win alongside his teammates.[16]
Formula E edit
Turvey would make his Formula E debut for NEXTEV TCR at the 2015 London ePrix, partnering with Nelson Piquet Jr. He would finish ninth in both events.[17] He and Piquet Jr. would be retained for the 2015–16 season, where he would place 14th in the final standings with 11 points alongside a best finish of sixth at Beijing. Turvey, now with a rebranded NEXTEV NIO for the 2016–17 season, would earn his first pole position in Formula E at Mexico City after Daniel Abt was penalised due to a tyre pressure infringment, but would ultimately retire from the race due to battery issues.[18] He would finish 12th in the final points standings with 26 points. For the 2017–18 season, Turvey would partner with Luca Filippi in the once again rebranded NIO Formula E Team, where would earn his first podium in Mexico City with a second place finish.[19] He would finish tenth in the standings with 46 points despite withdrawing from the New York ePrix due to suffering a hand injury during second practice.[20][21] Turvey would then partner with Tom Dillmann for the 2018–19 season, where he would only score seven points throughout the course of the season with a best result of eighth at Santiago. In the following season, he would partner with Ma Qinghua at the beginning of the year and then with Daniel Abt for the final rounds at Berlin for NIO 333 FE Team, where he would 24th in the standings with no points.[22] He would then partner with Tom Blomqvist for the 2020–21 season, finishing 23rd in the standings with 13 points and a best result of sixth at Diriyah.[23] Turvey would partner with former Formula 2 driver Dan Ticktum for the 2021–22 season, where he would only finish in the points once at Rome with a seventh place finish.[24] He would finish 18th in the standings. Turvey would not be retained for the following season, and would join DS Penske as the team's reserve driver as well as sporting advisor.[25]
Awards edit
Dec. 2006 – McLaren Autosport BRDC Award[26]
2008 – Sports Personality of the Year award at the 2008 Cumbria Sports Awards[27]
2008 – Daily Mirror Best British Driver in F3 Award[28]
2008 – Awarded the Dunhill Future Champion Award at Goodwood Festival of Speed[29]
2008 – University of Cambridge Extraordinary Full Blue for Motorsport (the first ever for the sport).[30][31]
2008 – British Racing Drivers' Club National Racing Driver of the Year[32]
Education edit
Turvey attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith, Cumbria in England and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge as an undergraduate, where he studied engineering. In late 2007, he applied to become a Cambridge Full Blue, the highest honour that can be awarded to a sportsman at the university. He completed his bachelor's degree in 2008 and was awarded the Full Blue by the university; the first ever racing driver to be awarded the accolade.[30][31] His Master's will include a dissertation on F1 aerodynamics. He has a sister, called Lucie, who also attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. Turvey currently lives in London.
Racing career edit
Career summary edit
† As Turvey was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points.
* Season still in progress.
Complete Formula Renault 3.5 Series results edit
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Pos | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Carlin Motorsport | CAT SPR 4 |
CAT FEA 11 |
SPA SPR 6 |
SPA FEA 14 |
MON FEA 1 |
HUN SPR 8 |
HUN FEA Ret |
SIL SPR 3 |
SIL FEA 3 |
BUG SPR 3 |
BUG FEA 10 |
ALG SPR Ret |
ALG FEA 6 |
NÜR SPR 4 |
NÜR FEA Ret |
ALC SPR 2 |
ALC FEA 5 |
4th | 93 |
Complete GP2 Series results edit
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | iSport International | CAT FEA 5 |
CAT SPR 5 |
MON FEA 15 |
MON SPR 15 |
IST FEA 14 |
IST SPR 18 |
VAL FEA Ret |
VAL SPR 12 |
SIL FEA 8 |
SIL SPR 2 |
HOC FEA 8 |
HOC SPR 2 |
HUN FEA 4 |
HUN SPR 5 |
SPA FEA 6 |
SPA SPR 5 |
MNZ FEA 3 |
MNZ SPR 6 |
YMC FEA 2 |
YMC SPR 17 |
6th | 47 |
| 2011 | Carlin | IST FEA |
IST SPR |
CAT FEA |
CAT SPR |
MON FEA 14 |
MON SPR 8 |
VAL FEA |
VAL SPR |
SIL FEA |
SIL SPR |
NÜR FEA |
NÜR SPR |
HUN FEA |
HUN SPR |
SPA FEA |
SPA SPR |
MNZ FEA |
MNZ SPR |
25th | 0 |
Complete GP2 Asia Series results edit
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | iSport International | YMC1 FEA 8 |
YMC1 SPR 4 |
YMC2 FEA 1 |
YMC2 SPR 5 |
BHR1 FEA 9 |
BHR1 SPR 6 |
BHR2 FEA 9 |
BHR2 SPR 11 |
6th | 17 |
| 2011 | Ocean Racing Technology | YMC FEA 18 |
YMC SPR 19 |
IMO FEA 14 |
IMO SPR 8 |
16th | 0 |
24 Hours of Le Mans results edit
| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Jota Sport
|
Simon Dolan Lucas Luhr
|
Zytek Z11SN-Nissan | LMP2 | 319 | 13th | 7th |
| 2014 | Jota Sport
|
Simon Dolan Harry Tincknell
|
Zytek Z11SN-Nissan | LMP2 | 356 | 5th | 1st |
| 2015 | Jota Sport
|
Simon Dolan Mitch Evans
|
Gibson 015S-Nissan | LMP2 | 358 | 10th | 2nd |
| 2018 |  CEFC TRSM Racing
|
Alex Brundle Oliver Rowland
|
Ginetta G60-LT-P1-Mecachrome | LMP1 | 137 | DNF | DNF |
Complete European Le Mans Series results edit
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Class | Car | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Jota Sport | LMP2 | Zytek Z11SN | Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 | SIL 1 |
IMO Ret |
RBR 4 |
HUN 3 |
LEC 3 |
3rd | 71 |
Complete Super GT results edit
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Drago Modulo Honda Racing | Honda NSX-GT | GT500 | OKA 6 |
FUJ 8 |
CHA 10 |
FUJ 6 |
SUZ 12 |
SUG 7 |
AUT 7 |
MOT 7 |
12th | 26 |
| 2016 | Drago Modulo Honda Racing | Honda NSX-GT | GT500 | OKA 12 |
FUJ 13 |
SUG 7 |
FUJ Ret |
SUZ Ret |
CHA | MOT | MOT | 19th | 5 |
Complete Formula E results edit
(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 more than 90% of the race distance.
* Season still in progress.
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results edit
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | CEFC TRSM Racing | LMP1 | Ginetta G60-LT-P1 | Mecachrome V634P1 3.4 L Turbo V6 | SPA WD |
LMS Ret |
SIL | FUJ | SHA | SEB | SPA | LMS | NC | 0 |
References edit
- ^ a b Anderson, Ben (14 October 2009). "Turvey gets iSport GP2 seat". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
- ^ Turvey is McLaren Autosport winner autosport.com, 3 December 2006. Retrieved on 21 April 2007.
- ^ Turvey expected to surprise in F3 autosport.com, 4 December 2006. Retrieved on 21 April 2007.
- ^ Turvey signs for Renault Eurocup Archived 24 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine oliverturvey.com. Retrieved on 21 April 2007.
- ^ "Turvey completes Carlin line-up". autosport.com. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
- ^ Straw, Edd (16 November 2010). "Ricciardo tops day one of rookie test". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ^ "Oliver Turvey back at Carlin for Monaco". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ Beer, Matt (1 February 2011). "Turvey joins Ocean for GP2 Asia". autosport.com. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ^ "Turvey lands McLaren GT3 race role". Racing Steps Foundation. 4 May 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ^ Rowland, Nick (1 February 2012). "McLaren unveils its 2012 challenger". Race Department. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
- ^ "Le Mans Series – McLaren test driver signs for Jota". Eurosport. 10 January 2013. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ^ O'Leary, Jamie (13 April 2013). "Silverstone ELMS: Oliver Turvey and Jota win as rain truncates race". autosport.com. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ^ "Oliver Turvey set for the World Endurance Championship". McLaren. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ^ Dagys, John (15 April 2014). "Millennium Withdraws from Silverstone". Sportscar365. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ^ DeGroot, Nick (7 June 2014). "Millennium Racing pulls out of Le Mans". motorsport.com. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ^ "Audi Takes 1–2 Finish in Eventful 24 Hours of Le Mans". msn.foxsports.com. 15 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ^ "Nelson Piquet Jr crowned first ever FIA Formula E champion in thrilling London finale". NBC Sports. Luke Smith. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ "Tyre-pressure fault costs Abt pole". Eurosport. 1 April 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
- ^ Larkham, Lewis (4 March 2018). "Turvey praises NIO's progress after maiden Formula E podium". Crash. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
- ^ Dagys, John (14 July 2018). "Turvey Ruled Out for Weekend; Ma to Sub on Sunday". eRacing365. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ "Oliver Turvey ruled out of Formula E's New York finale after injury". Autosport. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ "Rebranded NIO team reveals Turvey and Ma as 2019/20 FE drivers". Autosport. Alex Kalinauckes. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ "Blomqvist, Turvey at NIO for 2020-2021 FE season". Autosport. Matt Kew. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ "NIO 333's double Formula E points finish "a small victory" - Turvey". Motorsport. Jake Boxall-Legge. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ "Turvey takes reserve, sporting advisor role at DS Penske FE squad". Motorsport. Jake Boxall-Legge. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ Turvey is McLaren Autosport winner
- ^ Cumbria Sports Awards 2008 (28 November 2008). "BBC – Cumbria – In Pictures – Cumbria Sports Awards 2008". Bbc.co.uk:80. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Other sports: athletics, motorsport, superbikes, snooker...and more — Mirror Online". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "| Oliver Turvey Racing |". Oliverturvey.com. 1 April 1987. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ a b "Cambridge Awards First Ever Motor Sport 'Blue' to Oliver Turvey". British F3 International Series. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ a b Autosport, 14 August 2008 p. 43. Retrieved on 18 August 2008.
- ^ English, Steven (7 December 2008). "National Racing Driver: Oliver Turvey". Autosport. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
External links edit
- Oliver Turvey's official website
- Oliver Turvey career summary at DriverDB.com