Canadian Robert Wickens makes IndyCar iRacing debut, finishes eighth

Sam Ficarro

Canadian Robert Wickens makes IndyCar iRacing debut, finishes eighth image

Canadian IndyCar driver Robert Wickens made his iRacing debut Saturday. It was his first form of racing since his crash at Pocono Raceway in 2018 in which he became paralyzed from the waist down.

Wickens tweeted out a behind-the-scenes video of him entering the simulator and the special steering wheel and handbrake lever he would use to control the car.

In an interview with ESPN Friday, Wickens said he's hoping this will help get him back into a real-life IndyCar.

"I always knew simulation was going to be the best way to try different handbrake or pedal configurations," Wickens said. "This is step one of 100 to get me back into the NTT IndyCar Series."

Wickens had a strong showing in the virtual race at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, finishing the 45-lap race in eighth place.

In a post-race interview with NBCSN, Wickens said it felt like the real thing racing in his simulator.

"I feel like I have an advantage on my competitors with the quality of sim I have at home so I'll take that in my pocket and keep working," Wickens said. "I'm just excited. In my first race in St. Petersburg two years ago, all I could think of was top-10 and I didn't get it so my return back, I got in the top-10 so I think it was a good day."

The next IndyCar iRacing event will be on April 11 at Michigan International Speedway.

Sam Ficarro