Matheus Leist


Matheus Tobias Leist is a Brazilian racing driver who last raced for JDC-Miller MotorSports in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. He has previously competed in the IndyCar Series, the BRDC [British Formula 3 Championship], and Indy Lights.
𝕏 MatheusLeist

Career

Karting

Leist began karting in 2009 at the age of eleven. In 2013, he finished as runner-up in the Petrobras Karting Championship.

Lower formulas

In 2014, Leist graduated to single-seaters, racing in the B class of the 2014 [Fórmula 3 Brasil season|Brazilian F3 Championship], finishing runner-up to Vitor Baptista.
The following year, Leist switched to MSA Formula Championship|MSA Formula] in Britain with Double R Racing. He scored two victories and finished fifth in the standings.

British F3

In 2016, Leist reunited with Double R Racing and graduated to 2016 BRDC British [Formula 3 Championship|BRDC British F3]. Scoring four wins, two poles and six fastest laps, Leist took the title at the final round after a close fight with Ricky Collard throughout the season.

GP3 Series

In November 2016, it was announced Leist would partake in the GP3 post-season test at Yas Marina with ART Grand Prix, Arden International and Trident Racing.

Indy Lights

In February 2017, Leist signed with Carlin for the Indy Lights Championship. During his first season, Leist picked up his first podium at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis before taking pole and winning the Freedom 100 less than two weeks later, having led from start to finish.

IndyCar Series

In November 2017, A.J. Foyt Enterprises announced that the team hired Leist to drive the No. 4 Chevrolet in 2018. Leist partners veteran Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan and made his IndyCar debut at the Firestone [Grand Prix of St. Petersburg] on March 11, 2018. Leist completed two full seasons of IndyCar with Foyt, with a best finish of fourth at the 2019 IndyCar Grand Prix. He was replaced at Foyt with Charlie Kimball for 2020.

IMSA

Leist joined JDC–Miller MotorSports for the Endurance Cup rounds of the 2020 IMSA SportsCar Championship plus the Laguna Seca round. Following a best finish of fourth in the season-ending 12 Hours of Sebring, JDC-Miller downsized to one car for the 2021 season leaving Leist without a drive.

Personal life

Leist's younger brother Arthur is also a racing driver, currently competing in Stock Car Brasil.

Racing record

Complete MSA Formula Championship results

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930DCPoints
2015Double R RacingBHI
1
3		BHI
2
8		BHI
3
3		DON
1
7		DON
2
1		DON
3
Ret		THR
1
2		THR
2
5		THR
3
4		OUL
1
5		OUL
2
2		OUL
3
DSQ		CRO
1
5		CRO
2
5		CRO
3
6		SNE
1
7		SNE
2
Ret		SNE
3
DNS		KNO
1
9		KNO
2
6		KNO
3
11		ROC
1
5		ROC
2
4		ROC
3
6		SIL
1
4		SIL
2
3		SIL
3
1		BHGP
1
Ret		BHGP
2
14		BHGP
3
7		5th273

Complete FIA Formula 3 European Championship results

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233DCPoints
2015 [FIA Formula 3 European Championship|2015]Double R RacingSIL
1		SIL
2		SIL
3		HOC
1		HOC
2		HOC
3		PAU
1		PAU
2		PAU
3		MNZ
1		MNZ
2		MNZ
3		SPA
1		SPA
2		SPA
3		NOR
1		NOR
2		NOR
3		ZAN
1		ZAN
2		ZAN
3		RBR
1
27		RBR
2
24		RBR
3
27		ALG
1		ALG
2		ALG
3		NÜR
1		NÜR
2		NÜR
3		HOC
1		HOC
2		HOC
3		41st0

Complete MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship results

Year1234567891011121314DCPoints
2015-16ABU
1		ABU
2		ABU
3		ABU
4		BHR
1
5		BHR
2
5		DUB
1		DUB
2		DUB
3		DUB
4		CHE
1		CHE
2		CHE
3		CHE
4		14th20

Complete BRDC British Formula 3 Championship results

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718192021222324DCPoints
2016Double R RacingSNE1
1
10		SNE1
2
1		SNE1
3
4		BRH
1
1		BRH
2
Ret		BRH
3
Ret		ROC
1
3		ROC
2
4		ROC
3
2		OUL
1
4		OUL
2
4		OUL
3
5		SIL
1
1		SIL
2
3		SIL
3
C		SPA
1
2		SPA
2
5		SPA
3
2		SNE2
1
2		SNE2
2
6		SNE2
3
2		DON
1
1		DON
2
5		DON
3
5		1st493

American open-wheel racing

IndyCar Series

YearTeamChassisNo.Engine1234567891011121314151617RankPointsRef
2018A. J. Foyt EnterprisesDallara DW124ChevroletSTP
24		PHX
19		LBH
14		ALA
12		IMS
21		INDY
13		DET
15		DET
14		TXS
22		RDA
15		IOW
22		TOR
15		MOH
19		POC
11		GTW
16		POR
14		SNM
19		18th253
2019A. J. Foyt EnterprisesDallara DW124ChevroletSTP
22		COA
17		ALA
20		LBH
15		IMS
4		INDY
15		DET
21		DET
20		TXS
22		RDA
20		TOR
19		IOW
16		MOH
18		POC
14		GTW
17		POR
8		LAG
17		19th261

* Season still in progress.

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results

YearTeamClassChassisEngine123456789RankPoints
2020JDC-Miller MotorSportsDPiCadillac DPi-V.RCadillac 5.5 L V8DAY
5		DAYSEBELKATL
8		MOHPET
8		LGA
8		SEB
4		11th123