Danny Formal

Last updated

Daniel Formal
WTR LST 1 WGI24 02.jpg
Formal in 2024
Nationality Flag of Costa Rica.svg Costa Rican
Flag of the United States.svg American
via double nationality
Born (1995-12-24) 24 December 1995 (age 29)
San José, Costa Rica
Racing licence FIA Silver Driver.png FIA Silver
Championship titles
2022–2023
2017
Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America
Costa Rica Touring Car Championship

Daniel Formal (born 24 December 1995) is a Costa Rican racing driver currently competing for Wayne Taylor Racing in IMSA SportsCar Championship and Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America.

Contents

Career

Karting

Formal began karting in 2004. In his early years in karting, Formal most notably won the 2008 USA Junior Rotax, [1] and the Florida Winter Tour in both Rotax Junior and KF3. [2] [3] As he stepped up to senior classes, Formal won the 2012 and 2013 Florida Winter Tour in the TaG Senior class before making the switch to shifter karts in late 2013. [4] In Shifter karts, Formal won four SKUSA SuperNationals titles in 2015 and 2016 in S1, [5] [6] 2019 in KZ, [7] and 2023 in Pro Shifter. [8] During his SKUSA SuperNationals titles, Formal also won the SKUSA Pro Tour in 2016 and the Biloxi Rok Fest in 2019. [9] [10]

GT Racing

Formal made his car racing debut in 2016 as he joined the Costa Rica Touring Car Championship. [11] Racing for the Mitsubishi team, Formal was runner-up in his first ever year of car racing, but announced he would be leaving the team ahead of his sophomore season. [12]

In 2017, Formal returned to the series as he switched to Hyundai alongside Erick Xirinachs. [13] In his sophomore season in the championship, Formal won the last three races of the season to clinch the title by 67.5 points over Jose Montalto. [14]

Having joined ANSA Motorsports in 2020 for their karting divison, [15] Formal later joined their Super Trofeo North America division to make his return to cars after three years. [16] Formal took a lone class win at the season-ending round at Sebring as he ended the season fourth in the Pro-Am points. [17]

Switching to Prestige Performance with WTR for 2021, Formal was joined by Kyle Marcelli for his second season in the series. [18] The pair won both races at Road America, [19] and race two at Laguna Seca as they finished fourth in points. [20]

Remaining in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, Formal switched to Wayne Taylor Racing for his third season in the category. Driving alongside Kyle Marcelli, the pair won five races and took the title with one round left. [21] During 2021, Formal also made his debut in Prototypes, racing in the IMSA Prototype Challenge on a part-time basis and also making a one-off appearance in the LMP3 class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship. [22]

As Wayne Taylor Racing forged a partnership with Andretti Autosport, Formal remained in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, whilst also joining their Racers Edge Motorsport-supported GTD program in IMSA SportsCar Championship. [23] In the former, Formal won 10 of the 12 races on his way to his second consecutive Super Trofeo North America title. [24] In IMSA, Formal scored a best result of sixth at the 24 Hours of Daytona as he ended the season 33rd in points. [25]

Formal was retained by Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti in 2024 as he competed in both Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and the IMSA SportsCar Championship as Racers Edge Motorsport left the partnership. [26] [27] In his first full-season in GTD, Formal took his maiden series pole at Laguna Seca and scored a best result of fifth twice as he finished eighth in points. [28] Racing as a Lamborghini Factory driver in Super Trofeo, [29] Formal took wins at Watkins Glen International, [30] Circuit of the Americas, [31] and Jerez on his way to runner-up honors at season's end. [32]

In 2025, Formal returned to Wayne Taylor Racing to race in both Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and the IMSA SportsCar Championship. [33] Driving alongside Trent Hindman, the pair took the team's first GTD win at the fifth round of the season at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. [34]

Karting record

Karting career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamPosition
2004WKA Florida Championship Series — Easykart 60cc2nd
2005WKA Florida Championship Series — Easykart 60cc3rd
Florida Winter Tour — Mini Max5th
Florida Winter Tour — Easykart 60cc2nd
Stars of Karting East – Cadet22nd
2006Florida Winter Tour — Mini Max5th
Stars of Karting National – CadetTony Kart Racing Team62nd
2007Easykart International Grand Finals — Easykart 100NC
BTK / Arrows Karts – Rotax Junior3rd
2008Stars of Karting National – ICA Junior17th
Stars of Karting East – ICA Junior12th
Rotax Max Challenge U.S.A. – Junior Max21st
Rotax Max Challenge USA Grand Nationals – Junior Max1st
Florida Winter Tour – Rotax JuniorAdvanced Karting of Miami1st
Florida Winter Tour – KF3 1st
Florida Winter Tour – ICA Junior2nd
2009Jon Smith Kart Series – TaG Sr.1st
Florida Winter Tour – TaG Senior10th
2010Rotax Grand Nationals U.S.A. – Senior Max3rd
RMC Grand Finals – Senior Max5th
2011South Florida RMC Challenge – Rotax Senior2nd
Florida Winter Tour – Rotax Senior3rd
Rotax Grand Nationals U.S.A. – Senior Max31st
SKUSA SuperNationals – TaG SeniorIntrepid North America2nd
2012200 Miles of NewcastleZF Racing31st
Florida Winter Tour – TaG Senior1st
Florida Winter Tour – Rotax Senior4th
Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals – Senior Max15th
WSK Euro SeriesKZ2 15th
SKUSA SuperNationals – TaG SeniorAdvanced Karting11th
2013Florida Winter Tour – Rotax Senior2nd
Florida Winter Tour – TaG Senior1st
Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals – DD2Maxspeed GroupNC
SKUSA SuperNationals – DD23rd
2014SKUSA Pro Tour – S19th
Florida Winter Tour – Rotax DD22nd
Florida Winter Tour – TaG Senior3rd
Rotax Max Euro Challenge – DD218th
Karting European ChampionshipKZ2 49th
SKUSA SuperNationals – Pro StockDRT Racing3rd
SKUSA SuperNationals – TaG Senior12th
2015SKUSA Pro Tour – S112th
Florida Winter Tour – Rotax DD23rd
SKUSA SuperNationals – S1Champion Racing1st
2016Florida Winter Tour – Shifter Rok2nd
SKUSA Pro Tour – S11st
SKUSA SuperNationals – S1 Pro StockDRT Racing1st
SKUSA SuperNationals – KZ26th
2017SKUSA Pro Tour – S112th
SKUSA SuperNationals – S1 ProChampion Racing6th
SKUSA SuperNationals – KZ36th
2018Florida Winter Tour – Shifter Rok27th
SKUSA Pro Tour – S118th
Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals – DD2Formal Racing2nd
SKUSA SuperNationals – Pro ShifterFormula K/Leading Edge Motorsports4th
2019SKUSA Pro Tour – Pro Shifter22nd
Rok Cup Superfinal – Shifter Rok11th
Florida Winter Tour – Shifter RokLeading Edge Motorsports2nd
Biloxi Rok Fest – Shifter Rok1st
SKUSA SuperNationals – KZ1st
2020SKUSA Pro Winter Series – Pro ShifterNC
SKUSA Pro Tour – Pro Shifter4th
Florida Winter Tour – Shifter RokANSA Motorsports2nd
2021SKUSA Pro Tour – Pro Shifter8th
SKUSA SuperNationals – Pro ShifterLeading Edge Motorsports3rd
2022SKUSA Pro Tour – Pro Shifter32nd
SKUSA SuperNationals – Pro ShifterRolison Performance Group39th
2023SKUSA Pro Tour – Pro Shifter6th
Rok Vegas – Pro ShifterRolison Performance Group2nd
SKUSA SuperNationals – Pro Shifter1st
2024SKUSA Pro Tour – Pro Shifter15th
Sources: [35] [36] [37]

Racing record

Racing career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesF/LapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2016Costa Rica Touring Car Championship610041822nd
2017Costa Rica Touring Car Championship63004345.51st
2020Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America – Pro-AmANSA Motorsports81327704th
Michelin Pilot Challenge – TC Van Der Steur Racing LLC100001930th
2021Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America – ProPrestige Performance with WTR 93226674th
2022Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America – Pro Wayne Taylor Racing 12500111531st
IMSA Prototype Challenge CT Motorsports LLC3000063018th
IMSA SportsCar Championship – LMP3 Mühlner Motorsports America 1000023136th
2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship – GTD Racers Edge Motorsports with WTR Andretti 4000086933th
Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America – Pro Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport 12105612921st
Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Finals – Pro Wayne Taylor Racing 20000510th
2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship – GTD Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti 10010023108th
Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America – Pro 1234471292nd
Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Finals – Pro2000059th
Michelin Pilot Challenge – GS Van Der Steur Racing100009073rd
2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship – GTD Wayne Taylor Racing 710011394*10th*
Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America – Pro 6223348*1st*
Source: [38] [35]

Complete Michelin Pilot Challenge results

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

YearEntrantClassMakeEngine12345678910RankPoints
2020 Van Der Steur RacingTC Hyundai Veloster N TCR Hyundai 4.0 L Turbo I4 DAY
SEB1
ROA
VIR
MDO
ELK
ATL
LGA
SEB2
12
30th19
2024 Van Der Steur RacingGrand Sport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 Aston Martin M177 4.0 L Twin-Turbo V8 DAY
SEB
LGA
MOH
22
WGL
MOS
ELK
VIR
IMS
ATL
73rd90

* Season still in progress.

Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results

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

YearTeamClassMakeEngine1234567891011Pos.Points
2022 Mühlner Motorsports America LMP3 Duqueine M30 - D08 Nissan VK56DE 5.6 L V8 DAY
SEB
MDO WGL
10
MOS ELK PET 36th231
2023 Racers Edge Motorsports with WTR Andretti GTD Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 Acura 3.5 L Turbo V6 DAY
6
SEB
19
LBH
MON
WGL
8
MOS
LIM
ELK
VIR
IMS
PET
14
33rd869
2024 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti GTD Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 Lamborghini 5.2 L V10 DAY
17
SEB
15
LBH
8
LGA
5
WGL
12
MOS
6
ELK
15
VIR
11
IMS
10
PET
5
8th2310
2025 Wayne Taylor Racing GTD Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 Lamborghini 5.2 L V10 DAY
10
SEB
14
LBH
11
LGA
18
WGL
20
MOS
1
ELK
5
VIR IMS PET 9th*1678*

References

  1. "Formal Crowned USA Junior Rotax Champion". kartsportnews.com. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  2. "FWT - Homestead notes 2008-01-2". au.motorsport.com. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  3. "FWT Group B Homestead Sunday recap". au.motorsport.com. 23 January 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  4. "Danny Formal new Champion Kart Racing driver". vroomkart.com. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  5. "Superkarts! USA SuperNationals XIX presented by Evinco – Sunday Report". ekartingnews.com. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  6. "DRT Racing / DR Kart driver Danny Formal won S1 at SKUSA SuperNationals". vroomkart.com. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  7. "Piloto tico con el gen ganador en la sangre hace historia en Estados Unidos". nacion.com (in Spanish). 25 November 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  8. "¡Cuatro veces campeón! Formal suma un nuevo título en SuperNats". puromotor.com (in Spanish). 13 November 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  9. "Superkarts! USA Recognizes 2016 Pro Tour Champions". ekartingnews.com. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  10. "2019 ROK FEST BILOXI: FINALS REPORT". rokcupusa.com. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  11. "Mitsubishi y Danny Formal confirmados en el CTCC". nacion.com (in Spanish). 5 December 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  12. "Danny Formal, subcampeón del CTCC, cambia de escudería". nacion.com (in Spanish). 24 October 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  13. "Hyundai confirmó a Danny Formal como su piloto para el CTCC". mundomotorizado.com (in Spanish). 3 November 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  14. "Danny Formal se coronó campeón del CTCC". mundomotorizado.com (in Spanish). 25 September 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  15. "Formal To Join ANSA Motorsports in 2020". ekartingnews.com. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  16. "ANSA Confirms Two-Car Effort for VIR, Series Debut". sportscar365.com. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  17. "Aghakhani, Eidson Sweep Weekend; Snows Claim Titles". sportscar365.com. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  18. "Marcelli, Formal Join WTR for Super Trofeo Effort". sportscar365.com. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  19. "WTR's Formal, Marcelli Sweep Road America Weekend". sportscar365.com. 8 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  20. "Marcelli, Formal Claim Laguna Race 2 Win". sportscar365.com. 12 September 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  21. "WTR's Marcelli, Formal Clinch Pro Title Ahead of Season Finale". sportscar365.com. 29 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  22. "48 Entries for Petit Le Mans". sportscar365.com. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  23. "Racers Edge & Wayne Taylor Racing Field Acura NSX GT3 For Michelin Endurance Cup". dailysportscar.com. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  24. "Marcelli, Formal Overcome Norman for 10th Win of Season". sportscar365.com. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  25. "Acura vince la terza Rolex 24 consecutiva a Daytona". strade89.it (in Italian). 4 February 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  26. "Formal to Team Up With Norman for WTRAndretti Title Defense". sportscar365.com. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  27. "WTR Andretti reveal IMSA GTD effort for 2024 with Automobili Lamborghini". motorsport.com. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  28. "Bourdais Drives #01 Cadillac To Laguna Seca Pole". dailysportscar.com. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  29. "Lamborghini anuncia oficialmente a Danny Formal como piloto de fábrica". mundomotorizado.com/. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  30. "Formal, Norman Win Super Trofeo Race 1 at Watkins Glen". sportscar365.com. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  31. "WTRAndretti's Norman, Formal Return to Victory Lane at COTA". sportscar365.com. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  32. "Norman, Formal Win Race 2; Remaining Champions Crowned". sportscar365.com. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  33. "WTR Reveals 2025 IMSA GTD Drivers". dailysportscar.com. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  34. "AO Racing Wins At CTMP After Dillmann Crashes Out Of Lead". dailysportscar.com. 13 July 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  35. 1 2 "Daniel Formal | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  36. Kartcom. "Formal Danny" . Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  37. Kartcom. "Formal Daniel" . Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  38. "Danny Formal Results". Motorsportstats.com. Retrieved 12 August 2025.