Caio Collet Bio
Caio Jotta Collet, known professionally as Caio Collet, is a Brazilian racing driver born on 3 April 2002 in São Paulo, Brazil. He currently competes in the Indy NXT series with HMD Motorsports and is confirmed to step up to the IndyCar Series with A. J. Foyt Racing in 2026. A versatile single-seater racer, Collet has built his career across European junior formulae and American open-wheel racing, earning recognition as a former member of the Alpine Academy.
Collet first gained international attention by winning the French F4 Championship in 2018, then progressed through Formula Renault Eurocup, FIA Formula 3, and Indy NXT. His career highlights include a runner-up finish in the 2020 Formula Renault Eurocup, three wins across his FIA Formula 3 tenure, and a second-place championship result in the 2025 Indy NXT season.
Early Life and Background
Caio Jotta Collet was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, where his Italian and French ancestry shaped his early connection to European motorsport culture. He began racing karts at the age of seven and quickly rose through the Brazilian karting ranks, collecting multiple national titles before moving to Europe to pursue a professional career in single-seater racing.
His karting success in Brazil caught the attention of European teams, and in 2016 he signed with the prestigious Birel ART squad. Collet later joined Nicolas Todt’s All Road Management program, which helped guide his transition from karting into open-wheel racing. These early experiences laid the groundwork for his entry into Formula 4.
Path to NASCAR
Collet’s career path has developed through international single-seater racing rather than the traditional stock car ladder system. He made his single-seater debut in the 2017-18 Formula 4 UAE Championship with Silberpfeil Energy Dubai before claiming the 2018 French F4 Championship title with seven wins and eleven podium finishes.
His continued progress through Formula Renault Eurocup, FIA Formula 3, and Indy NXT reflects a steady ascent up the global open-wheel ladder. As of the 2025 season, Collet remains focused on the IndyCar ladder rather than transitioning to NASCAR-style stock car competition.
Caio Collet Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Collet began his single-seater career with Silberpfeil Energy Dubai in the 2017-18 Formula 4 UAE Championship, finishing sixth overall despite contesting only two rounds. He then moved to the French F4 Championship in 2018, where he dominated the season by taking seven victories, three pole positions, and the championship crown with 303.5 points.
That performance earned him a seat with R-ace GP in the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup. Racing alongside future stars like Oscar Piastri, Collet adapted quickly to the more demanding Formula Renault machinery and finished fifth in the standings with five podiums, including a runner-up result at Spa-Francorchamps.
Formula Renault Eurocup Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Collet’s second Eurocup campaign in 2020 marked his emergence as a title contender. He opened the season with three consecutive podium finishes, including his first Eurocup victory at the Imola Circuit, and stayed in a tight battle with ART driver Victor Martins throughout the year.
Despite taking multiple wins at Magny-Cours, Zandvoort, Imola, and Hockenheim, Collet could not overcome Martins’s consistency. He finished the year as vice-champion, ending the season 44 points behind his rival. His runner-up result established him as one of the leading young talents in junior single-seater racing.
FIA Formula 3 Breakthrough (2021-2023)
Collet joined MP Motorsport for the 2021 FIA Formula 3 season and finished ninth overall as a rookie, securing two podiums and ranking as the second-highest first-year driver. He stayed with the team in 2022 and earned his maiden F3 victory in a wet race at the Hungaroring, controlling the sprint race by eight seconds after a mistake from rival Franco Colapinto.
He added a second win at Zandvoort later that year and finished eighth overall with two victories and five podiums. In 2023, Collet moved to Van Amersfoort Racing and took a third career FIA Formula 3 win at Spa-Francorchamps, climbing from fourth to first in the sprint race. Across his three F3 seasons, he collected three wins and consistent points finishes.
Indy NXT Era (2024-2025)
Collet made his Indy NXT debut with HMD Motorsports in 2024, following a successful test at Indianapolis. He earned his first series podium with a third-place result at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and captured his maiden Indy NXT victory at Mid-Ohio, finishing the year third in the standings with one win, six podiums, and 436 points as the highest-placed rookie.
Re-signing with HMD Motorsports for 2025, Collet opened the year with a third place at Saint Petersburg before winning at Road America after passing Dennis Hauger late in the race. He dominated the Laguna Seca double-header with pole positions and lights-to-flag victories in both races, hauling himself into championship contention. Despite falling short in the final rounds, he finished the 2025 season as runner-up to Dennis Hauger with three wins, three poles, and nine podiums.
A. J. Foyt Racing Era (2026-Present)
In October 2025, Collet completed his first IndyCar test at Mid-Ohio with A. J. Foyt Racing. The following month, it was confirmed that he would drive the No. 4 car for the team in the 2026 IndyCar Series, marking his transition to the top tier of American open-wheel racing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Collet is recognized for his calm race craft and his ability to capitalize on changing track conditions, particularly in mixed-weather races such as his breakthrough FIA Formula 3 win at the Hungaroring. His strength on road and street circuits has been evident across his Indy NXT campaign, where consistent qualifying pace translated into multiple pole positions and controlled victories.
Notable Races and Milestones
Signature moments in Collet’s career include his dominant 2018 French F4 title run, his first Indy NXT victory at Mid-Ohio in 2024, and his commanding Laguna Seca double-win in 2025. Each result reflects his steady progression through the global single-seater ladder and his readiness for the IndyCar Series.
Caio Collet Career Wins
Across his career in junior single-seater racing and Indy NXT, Caio Collet has accumulated victories in multiple championships, including the French F4 title in 2018 and three FIA Formula 3 race wins. His move to Indy NXT in 2024 added further wins, and he closed the 2025 season with three victories in the series.
Indy NXT Highlights
Collet recorded four career Indy NXT wins between 2024 and 2025. His first series victory came at Mid-Ohio in 2024, where he led from pole position. In 2025, he followed up with a win at Road America, passing Dennis Hauger with five laps to go, and completed a flag-to-flag double victory at Laguna Seca in both rounds of the double-header.
He ended the 2025 Indy NXT season as runner-up with three wins, three poles, and nine podiums, finishing 72 points behind champion Dennis Hauger. His 2024 rookie campaign saw him finish third overall with one win and six podiums, earning him the series’ top rookie honor.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond Indy NXT, Collet captured the 2018 French F4 Championship with seven victories and recorded three wins during his FIA Formula 3 career (2021-2023). He also added one Formula Renault Eurocup win at Imola in 2020 and a Toyota Racing Series victory at Teretonga Park during the 2020 season.
Caio Collet Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Caio Collet was raised in São Paulo, Brazil, in a family of Italian and French descent. His early exposure to motorsport culture in both South America and Europe helped shape his career path, and he has cited three-time Formula One champion Ayrton Senna as his racing hero.
Personal Life
Collet continues to focus on his racing career while maintaining ties to Brazil and Europe. He has been associated with the Alpine Academy and remains linked to Alpine despite being officially dropped in early 2023. His Italian and French heritage reflects the international flavor of his upbringing and racing background.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Caio Collet’s second full year in Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports. He opened with a podium at Saint Petersburg before taking his first win of the year at Road America and dominating the Laguna Seca double-header with two flag-to-flag victories. His strong mid-season form pushed him into championship contention against Dennis Hauger.
Despite securing three poles and three wins during the campaign, Collet was unable to overtake Hauger in the standings across the final rounds. He concluded the year as Indy NXT runner-up with nine podiums and 72 points separating him from the champion. His performances secured his promotion to the IndyCar Series with A. J. Foyt Racing for 2026.
