Kyffin Simpson

Simpson was born in Bridgetown, Barbados; the son of Caymanian businessman David Simpson.{{Cite web |title=The Indianapolis Star |url=https://www.indystar.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indystar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmotor%2F2023%2F09%2F18%2Findycar-chip-ganassi-racing-kyffin-simpson-fifth-full-time-car-2024%2F70889128007%2F |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.indystar.com}} Simpson competes as Caymanian,{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=2023-09-19 |title=What you should know about IndyCar's new driver and his case for a seat |url=https://formulascout.com/what-you-should-know-about-indycars-new-driver-and-his-case-for-a-seat/111450 |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} saying, "I really feel connected with the people of Cayman. It’s cool to fly the flag on the side of my car."{{Cite web |title=Kyffin Simpson |url=https://www.indycar.com/Series/INDY-NXT/Kyffin-Simpson |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=IndyCar.com}}

Simpson made his car racing debut in 2020 for Velocity Racing Development in the 2020 Formula 4 United States Championship after 9 years of karting across the Caribbean and United States.{{cite news|url=https://www.f4uschampionship.com/articles/2013703-kyffin-simpson-signs-for-velocity-racing-development-ahead-of-2020-f4-u-s-campaign|title=KYFFIN SIMPSON SIGNS FOR VELOCITY RACING DEVELOPMENT AHEAD OF 2020 F4 U.S. CAMPAIGN|publisher=Formula 4 United States Championship|date=May 13, 2020}}

Simpson would dovetail a season in the Formula 4 United States Championship with a season in the Formula Regional Americas Championship in 2020, and dominated the championship in his second season with podiums in all but five races.{{cite news|url=https://formulascout.com/kyffin-simpson-and-tj-speed-team-dominate-fregional-americas-debut/76823|title=Kyffin Simpson and TJ Speed team dominate FRegional Americas debut|publisher=Formula Scout|date=29 March 2021}}

Winning the FR Americas title awarded Kyffin with a Honda Performance Development scholarship fund worth $600,000 towards a Super Formula campaign in 2022, but Japan’s ongoing travel restrictions due to COVID-19 prevented these plans coming to fruition.{{cite news|url=https://www.motorsport.com/super-formula/news/kyffin-simpson-hdp-scholarship-2022/6771972/|title=HPD scholarship winner Simpson turns down Super Formula chance|author=Jamie Klein|date=12 November 2021|website=Motorsport.com}}

Parallel to his Regional F3 campaign, Simpson also entered the Road to Indy ladder with IndyCar team Juncos Racing, competing in 16 of the 18-race Indy Pro 2000 Championship season, scoring three podiums.{{cite news|url=https://au.motorsport.com/indy-pro-2000/news/juncos-kyffin-simpson-indy-pro-2000/5338591/|title=Juncos signs Kyffin Simpson to Indy Pro 2000 team|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=4 February 2021}}

In 2022, Simpson signed a multi-year deal as a development driver with Chip Ganassi Racing, whilst also progressing to Indy Lights, partnering James Roe Jr. at TJ Speed Motorsports.{{cite news |date=12 May 2022 |title=Ganassi signs Simpson to multi-year development deal |publisher=Racer |url=https://racer.com/2022/05/12/ganassi-signs-simpson-to-multi-year-development-deal/}} Following eight races with the team, Simpson moved to HMD Motorsports.{{Cite web |last=Series |first=F1 Feeder |date=2022-07-18 |title=Indy Lights: Kyffin Simpson switches to HMD as disillusion causes rift with TJ Speed |url=https://f1feederseries.com/2022/07/18/indy-lights-kyffin-simpson-switches-to-hmd-as-disillusion-causes-rift-with-tj-speed/ |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=F1 Feeder Series |language=en}} He finished ninth in the Indy Lights standings with a best result of fifth in Barber and Detroit.

Simpson confirmed a return to the newly rebranded Indy NXT series in 2023 with HMD Motorsports.{{Cite web |title=Simpson Staying with HMD Motorsports for 2023 Season |url=https://www.indycar.com/news/2022/10/10-10-simpson-hmd |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=IndyCar.com}}{{Cite web |title=Simpson Staying with HMD Motorsports for 2023 Season |url=https://www.indycar.com/news/2022/10/10-10-simpson-hmd |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=IndyCar.com}}

Alongside his Indy Lights duties, Simpson made his IMSA SportsCar Championship debut with Gradient Racing at the wheel of an Acura NSX GT3 EVO II at the 2022 24 Hours of Daytona. He, along with his teammates Mario Farnbacher and Till Bechtolsheimer, won the 2022 Petit Le Mans in the GTD class.{{Cite web |title=Gradient Racing stuns with last-to-first Petit Le Mans victory |url=https://www.kyffinsimpson.ky/2022/10/04/gradient-racing-stuns-with-last-to-first-petit-le-mans-victory/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Kyffin Simpson |language=en-GB}}

File: Tower Oreca WGI23 03.jpg

Simpson joined Tower Motorsports for a part-time role in the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship competing in LMP2.{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Daniel |date=2022-12-05 |title=Newgarden, McLaughlin to Make Rolex 24 Debuts With Tower – Sportscar365 |url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/newgarden-mclaughlin-to-make-daytona-debuts-in-lmp2/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=sportscar365.com |language=en-US}} After finishing fifth at the 24 Hours of Daytona, Simpson, along with teammates Scott McLaughlin and John Farano, won the LMP2 class of the 12 Hours of Sebring, marking the Barbadian's second triumph in IMSA.{{Cite web |title=Tower Motorsports victorious at 12H of Sebring, P3 overall |url=https://www.kyffinsimpson.ky/2023/03/20/tower-motorsports-victorious-at-12h-of-sebring-p3-overall/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Kyffin Simpson |language=en-GB}}

Alongside his duties in junior formulae, Simpson would compete full-time in the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series together with James Allen and John Falb as part of Algarve Pro Racing{{Cite web |title=Kyffin Simpson |url=https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/kyffin-simpson/ |access-date=2021-11-08 |website=DriverDB}} in preparation for a campaign in that year's European Le Mans Series.{{Cite web |title=Algarve Pro Name Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 Roster {{!}} dailysportscar.com |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/12/08/algarve-pro-name-asian-le-mans-series-lmp2-roster.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.dailysportscar.com|date=8 December 2022 }} The season opener in Dubai yielded a perfect start, as the trio took victory despite a spin from Falb.{{Cite web |title=Algarve Pro Racing Win the Opening Round of the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series! |url=https://en.endurance-info.com/auto/article/105732-algarve-pro-racing-win-opening-round-2023-asian-le-mans-series |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Endurance Info |language=en}} Simpson played a major role in said victory, taking second place from Indy NXT rival Christian Bogle near half-distance, before closing the gap between himself and leader Ayhancan Güven from 25 to mere seven seconds by the end of their stints.{{Cite web |title=Algarve Pro Racing Wins First 2023 4 Hours of Dubai {{!}} dailysportscar.com |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/02/11/algarve-pro-racing-wins-first-2023-4-hours-of-dubai.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.dailysportscar.com|date=11 February 2023 }} The following day, a puncture prevented the #25 from battling for a win; they eventually settled for fourth.{{Cite web |title=Superb Siegel Caps Off Inter Europol's 'Spin & Win' In Dubai {{!}} dailysportscar.com |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/02/12/superb-siegel-caps-off-inter-europols-spin-and-win-in-dubai.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.dailysportscar.com|date=12 February 2023 }} Race one at the Yas Marina Circuit saw Simpson battling the experienced Oliver Jarvis for a podium spot, however he would take himself out of contention owing to a spin into the turn 16 wall mere minutes before the end.{{Cite web |last=Euwema |first=Davey |date=2023-02-18 |title=Cool Racing Wins Abu Dhabi Saturday Race – Sportscar365 |url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/asian-lms/cool-wins-abu-dhabi-saturday-race/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=sportscar365.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=COOL Racing Triumphs In 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi Race 1 {{!}} dailysportscar.com |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/02/18/cool-racing-triumphs-in-4-hours-of-abu-dhabi-race-1.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.dailysportscar.com|date=18 February 2023 }} On Sunday, fourth place meant that Simpson, Allen and Falb would end up third in the LMP2 classification.{{Cite web |title=Asian Le Mans Series Standings 2023 {{!}} Motorsport Stats |url=https://motorsportstats.com/series/Asian%20Le%20Mans%20Series/standings/2023 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=motorsportstats.com}}

Simpson would stay with Algarve Pro Racing to compete in the 2023 European Le Mans Series, where Simpson once again partnered James Allen, the pair being joined by Cadillac Hypercar driver Alex Lynn.{{Cite web |title=European Le Mans Series Confirm 42 Car Full Season Entry {{!}} dailysportscar.com |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/02/06/european-le-mans-series-confirm-42-car-full-season-entry.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.dailysportscar.com|date=6 February 2023 }} An unspectacular maiden race in Barcelona was followed by a markedly improved showing at the Circuit Paul Ricard, where Simpson's ability to stay close to leader Vladislav Lomko throughout the opening stints - exemplified by the Bajan setting the race's fastest lap - enabled teammates Lynn and Allen to get embroiled in the battle for victory, with the latter executing a late-race pass on Louis Delétraz to bring first place to APR.{{Cite web |last=Euwema |first=Davey |date=2023-07-16 |title=Algarve Pro Takes Dramatic Paul Ricard Victory – Sportscar365 |url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/algarve-pro-takes-dramatic-paul-ricard-victory/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=sportscar365.com |language=en-US}} Prior to the third race, held at MotorLand Aragón, Simpson received praise from Lynn, the Brit stating that "Kyffin is a fast learner" and praising him for his pace, whilst remarking that Simpson needed more experience.{{Cite web |title=What's NXT For Kyffin Simpson? {{!}} dailysportscar.com |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/08/24/whats-nxt-for-kyffin-simpson.html |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.dailysportscar.com|date=24 August 2023 }}

File:Kyffin Simspon Mid Ohio 2024.jpg

In January 2023, Kyffin completed his first NTT IndyCar Series test with Chip Ganassi Racing at Sebring International Raceway.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-05 |title=Shwartzman tops four-car IndyCar test at Sebring |url=https://racer.com/2023/01/04/shwartzman-tops-four-car-indycar-test-at-sebring/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=RACER |language=en-US}} Following the end of the 2023 IndyCar season, Chip Ganassi announced that Simpson, who had been the team's development driver over the past two years, would be stepping up to IndyCar in 2024.{{Cite web |title=Chip Ganassi Racing Expands 2024 INDYCAR Team with Kyffin Simpson on Board |url=https://chipganassiracing.com/news/chip-ganassi-racing-expands-2024-indycar-team-with-kyffin-simpson-on-board |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=chipganassiracing.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-18 |title=Ganassi adds fifth IndyCar for Indy NXT grad Simpson in 2024 |url=https://racer.com/2023/09/18/ganassi-adds-fifth-indycar-for-indy-nxt-grad-simpson-in-2024/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=RACER |language=en-US}} He started his season at St. Petersburg with a 12th place finish, ending up ahead of all other rookies and setting the fastest lap of the race.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-10 |title=Simpson comes in sneaky fast in IndyCar debut at St. Petersburg |url=https://racer.com/2024/03/10/simpson-comes-in-sneaky-fast-in-indycar-debut-at-st-petersburg/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=RACER |language=en-US}} Following three further top-20 finishes, Simpson ended up 21st in his first appearance at the Indy 500, having qualified a then-record 18th.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-25 |title=The efficient Indy 500 rookie quietly flying under the radar |url=https://beyondtheflag.com/posts/efficient-indy-500-rookie-kyffin-simpson-quietly-flying-under-radar-01hym1bebxkt |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Beyond the Flag |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-27 |title=Newgarden denies O'Ward for back-to-back Indy 500 wins |url=https://www.the-race.com/indycar/indianapolis-500-report-2024-josef-newgarden-denies-pato-oward/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The Race |language=en}}

^* Season still in progress.

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) (Races with * indicate most race laps led)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) (Races with * indicate most race laps led)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.kyffinsimpson.ky/}}
• {{DriverDB driver|kyffin-simpson}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-sports}}

{{succession box|title=Formula Regional Americas Championship
Champion |before=Linus Lundqvist|after=Raoul Hyman|years=2021}}

{{succession box|title=European Le Mans Series
LMP2 Champion |before=Louis Delétraz
Ferdinand Habsburg|after=Louis Delétraz
Robert Kubica
Jonny Edgar|with=Alex Lynn & James Allen|years=2023}}

{{s-end}}

{{IndyCar Series}}

{{Chip Ganassi Racing}}

{{Juncos Hollinger Racing}}

{{HMD Motorsports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Kyffin}}

Category:2004 births

Category:Living people

Category:Caymanian sportsmen

Category:Sportspeople from Bridgetown

Category:Indy Pro 2000 Championship drivers

Category:Indy Lights drivers

Category:IndyCar Series drivers

Category:Indianapolis 500 drivers

Category:Formula Regional Americas Championship drivers

Category:Chip Ganassi Racing drivers

Category:Dale Coyne Racing drivers

Category:Juncos Hollinger Racing drivers

Category:WeatherTech SportsCar Championship drivers

Category:United States F4 Championship drivers

Category:HMD Motorsports drivers

Category:Asian Le Mans Series drivers

Category:European Le Mans Series drivers

Category:DragonSpeed drivers

Category:Algarve Pro Racing drivers

Category:24 Hours of Le Mans drivers

Category:21st-century British sportsmen