Formula One test driver and IndyCar star Robert Wicken Wickens sustained paralyzing injuries in a horrific accident racing an IndyCar at over 200 mph at Pocono Raceway in August of 2018. Wickens vowed to race again and after two years of grueling rehabilitation, Wickens returned to competition in 2022, now driving with his hands. Competing for Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, Wickens accelerates, shifts, and brakes while racing against upwards of 50 other competitors, on a myriad of the most famous racetracks in North America, all with his hands. Wickens wasted no time adapting to hand controls, he finished on the podium in his return to racing at Daytona International Speedway, finishing third and then went on to win just five races later. Then, he won again,  in just 20 races as a paralyzed athlete, he became the series CHAMPION.

Injuries: Wickens suffered a thoracic spinal fracture, spinal cord injury, neck fracture, tibia, and fibula fractures to both legs, fractures in both hands, a fractured right forearm, fractured elbow, a concussion, four fractured ribs and a pulmonary contusion in the incident.

Of Note: Robert Wickens has become a trailblazer in developing new technology and both mental and physical therapy methods for the paralyzed community.  In 2024, BOSCH teamed with Robert Wickens to create a new hand-control braking system which offers enhancements including response rate and diagnostics. For the redesign of Wickens’ hand-controlled braking system, Bosch utilized its existing electronic brake system (EBS) module from the Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh) class with its trusted controls platform and display to provide a more robust solution. The added technology allows Wickens to have more consistency across the application of brakes, faster response rate and advanced diagnostics for safety.   The system can be utilized in racecars across leading racing categories worldwide.  This system also advances accessibility for future racing drivers with disabilities.