Vyktor Melnyk

Melnyk in 2008

Odessa, Ukrainian SSR

**Vyktor Mykhaylovych Melnyk** (Ukrainian: Віктор Михайлович Мельник, born 23 June 1984) is a Ukrainian-British retired racing driver, most famous for being the 2008 International Formula Series champion.

## **Early Life**

Melnyk was born on the 23rd of June 1984 in the city of Odessa in Ukraine, which was at the time under the Soviet Union. Melnyk was born into quite an upper-class family, as his father, Mykhayl, was a professor at the Odessa National Economics University, while his mother Olha worked as a TV presenter for various state-owned channels in Ukraine. However, when Melnyk was 7 years old, his family, with the help of his uncle who already lived there, moved from Ukraine to the United Kingdom following the collapse of the Soviet Union, in pursuit of better opportunities and a more stable life.

Settling in the bustling city of London, Melnyk quickly adapted to his new surroundings and embraced the diverse culture of his adopted country. He was captivated by the fast-paced nature of the city and developed a fascination for speed and competition. Inspired by the iconic International Formula Series races he watched on television, Melnyk dreamt of one day becoming a racing driver himself.

At the age of 11, Melnyk's parents enrolled him in a karting academy, recognizing their son's passion and talent. It didn't take long for him to showcase his natural ability behind the wheel, displaying remarkable skill and determination on the karting tracks. His talent caught the attention of racing scouts and sponsors, and he was soon offered opportunities to compete at higher levels of motorsport.

## Karting and junior formulae

Melnyk's ascent through the racing ranks was meteoric. He quickly made a name for himself in various junior racing series, consistently demonstrating his exceptional driving skills and strategic thinking on the track. His success brought him closer to his ultimate goal of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport. Competing under the British flag, Melnyk won the British Karting Championship aged 13 which put even more traction on the young Ukrainians name. He got his first taste of open-wheelers at age 15, making his debut in the British Formula Challenge series in 2000. He'd ultimately go on to lose the championship, however he'd put in race winning performances over drivers who were way older than him. He'd go on to compete in more British championships and even a few small European championships over the years, like the British Formula Carlson championship in 2001 and the Italian Formula C championship in 2002, where he achieved very good results despite the lack of familiarity with the cars. Noticing the incredible potential of Melnyk, International Formula Junior team owner Gary Robson offered Melnyk a private test-session around the Silverstone Circuit in an International Formula Junior car.

Impressed by Melnyk's skills and potential, International Formula Juniors team owner Gary Robson extended an invitation for the talented Ukrainian-British driver to participate in a private test session at the iconic Silverstone Circuit. Eager to showcase his abilities, Melnyk seized the opportunity and eagerly took to the track in an International Formula Juniors car.

Throughout the test session, Melnyk demonstrated remarkable determination, adaptability, and a natural affinity for the car. His lap times were consistently competitive, putting him in close proximity to Robson's own experienced drivers. Recognizing Melnyk's immense talent and potential, Robson wasted no time in offering him a spot on his team.

## Racing Career

### International Formula Juniors

#### 2003

In 2003, Melnyk, now racing under the Ukrainian flag, embarked on his debut season in the International Formula Junior championship, proudly representing Flashpoint Grand Prix. The pressure was on for the young driver as he aimed to make a strong impression on the highly competitive grid. With his exceptional driving skills and strategic thinking honed through his years of racing experience, Melnyk set out to leave his mark on the championship.

The 2003 season proved to be a mixed bag for Melnyk. While he showcased glimpses of his potential with impressive performances, a lack of experience eluded him. In a fiercely competitive field, Melnyk struggled to maintain the momentum necessary for a championship challenge. However, he managed to secure his first podium finish at the British Grand Prix, a notable achievement that highlighted his raw talent and determination.

Despite the lack of overall experience, Melnyk's maiden season in International Formula Juniors was considered a solid debut. He finished the championship in 8th place, 26 points off his more experienced teammate Chris Harvey. While falling short of his rivals, Melnyk's performances garnered attention, raising expectations for the future.

#### 2004

The following season, in 2004, Melnyk remained with Flashpoint Grand Prix, eager to build upon his previous experience and capitalize on his potential. With a year of racing under his belt, plus being confirmed as the official test and reserve driver for the McKenzie IFS Team, he aimed to showcase improved consistency and challenge for the championship title.

Melnyk kicked off the 2004 season on a high note, securing victory at the British and Spanish Grands Prix after a series of podium finishes. His early success propelled him to the top of the championship standings, with a significant lead over his closest rival Marcos Ruiz. However, his championship campaign faced a setback when he encountered mechanical issues during the French Grand Prix, forcing him to retire from the race. The setback dropped Melnyk to second place in the standings, just behind Ruiz.

Undeterred by the setback, Melnyk showcased his resilience and determination in the subsequent races. He embarked on a remarkable comeback, displaying a combination of skill, calculated risk-taking, and flawless execution on the track. With each race, he closed the gap between himself and Ruiz, setting the stage for a thrilling battle for the championship title.

One of the standout moments of Melnyk's 2004 season came during the Italian Grand Prix at the Imola Circuit. Starting from P25 on the grid due to a qualifying mishap, he demonstrated his exceptional overtaking skills, carving his way through the field with precision and tenacity. Lap after lap, Melnyk pushed the limits of his car, executing daring maneuvers and leaving his competitors in awe. In a spectacular display of skill and determination, he clinched a podium finish, securing crucial points in his pursuit of the championship.

The championship showdown reached its climax at the season finale, the Belgian Grand Prix. With just four points separating Melnyk and Ruiz, the pressure was palpable. Melnyk knew that nothing short of a victory would secure the championship title. In a tense and dramatic race, he battled against fierce competition, engaging in wheel-to-wheel battles and executing flawless overtakes. As the chequered flag waved, Melnyk crossed the finish line in first place, capturing the championship crown in a breathtaking climax to the season. It was a moment of pure elation and fulfillment for Melnyk and his team, a testament to their unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence.

### International Formula Series

#### 2005

Melnyk's first season in the International Formula Series was with struggling Italian backmarkers Conse Motorsport. Despite the slow machinery, Melnyk impressed with his speed and consistency, scoring points in six races and finishing ninth in the drivers' standings. His best result was an incredible second place at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he held off the challenge of the faster SAMB cars behind him. He also qualified on the front row at a wet Italian Grand Prix, but retired with a gearbox failure. His teammate was Danish veteran Mads Rytter, who had raced in IFS since 1996 and had won three races in his career.

#### 2006

In 2006, Melnyk moved to Austrian giants SAMB Grand Prix, the same team that had won the constructors' title in 2004 and 2005. He partnered with eventual two-time world champion Michael Fowler. Melnyk quickly adapted to the competitive SAMB car and won his first race at the Chinese Grand Prix. He went on to win three more races that year, at Canada, Germany and Japan, and finished third in the championship behind defending champion Guilherme Cerqueira and Fowler, who went on to secure his first world title in 2006.

#### 2007

Melnyk stayed with SAMB for 2007, hoping to challenge for the title. However, he faced stiff competition from Fowler once more, who won six races and became the youngest two-time world champion in history at 25 years old. Melnyk won two races, at Monaco and Hungary, but also suffered from reliability issues and collisions. He ended up fourth in the standings, behind Fowler, Cerqueira and Tsukuda's Kenji Ikeda. Ikeda was a sensation, being a 2-time Japanese GT Series champion, IFS race winner, and a 24 Hours of Le Mans winner at only 27. Ikeda drove alongside 2004 world champion Flavio Torres at Tsukuda. Ikeda and Torres had a tense relationship that affected their performance and allowed Fowler to take advantage, leaving Melnyk to frustratingly pick up the scraps. Despite frustratingly playing second fiddle to Fowler, Melnyk regarded Fowler highly, and described him in an interview with Zoom in 2018 as a "big inspiration" and a "tough but fair teammate, who pushed me to improve my skills and challenged me for race wins.

#### 2008

2008 was Melnyk's best ever season in IFS. He dominated the championship with seven wins and 14 podiums out of 18 races. He clinched the title with two races to spare at the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the first Ukrainian driver to win the IFS crown. He also helped SAMB secure its third consecutive constructors' title. His main rival was Kenji Ikeda, who won four races that year for Tsukuda, but ultimately suffered reliability issues and a car which wasn't able to keep up with SAMB.

#### 2009

Melnyk remained with SAMB for 2009, but faced a tougher challenge from the Tsukudas. Tsukuda had developed a revolutionary double diffuser that gave them an aerodynamic advantage over the rest of the field. Their drivers, Kenji Ikeda and Canadian Chris Harvey, the latter being Melnyk's former teammate back in his International Formula Juniors days. Both Tsukudas won six of the first seven races of the season. Melnyk managed to win two races, at Turkey and Italy, but could not match the pace of the Tsukuda cars. He finished second in the championship, 11 points behind Ikeda.

#### 2010

In 2010, Melnyk made the shock transfer to sign for Equipe Girault, leaving SAMB in favor for the French team that had been runner-up in 2009 with Nico Holzmann and Lucas Costa. Melnyk hoped to revive his title chances with a new team heading into the 2010 regulation change, but Equipe Girault struggled to keep up with the development race of SAMB, Tsukuda, McKenzie and Barzetti. Melnyk scored only one podium all year, a third place at the Belgian Grand Prix. He finished seventh in the drivers' standings, while Equipe Girault dropped to fifth in the constructors' championship. His teammate was Chinese driver Li Chen, who had been a test driver for Barzetti and McKenzie since 2003 and had only raced sporadically in IFS.

#### 2011-2013

Melnyk continued with Equipe Girault for 2011 and 2012, but did not achieve any significant results. He scored two more podiums in 2011, at Monaco and Brazil, but also had several retirements due to mechanical failures and accidents. He ended up eighth in the championship. In 2012, he scored only one podium, a second place at the European Grand Prix in Vienna. He finished ninth in the standings. His teammate for both years was up-and-coming Mexican talent Santiago Ortiz, who had impressed with his aggressive overtaking moves and fearless driving style.

For his final season in IFS in 2013, Melnyk returned to McKenzie IFS Team, where he had started his career as a test driver in 2004. He hoped to end his career on a high note with a competitive car, however, he wouldn't be able to post competitive statistics alongside his teammate, Daniel Lyons, who would go on to win the championship. Melnyk would go winless in the season, only picking up a few podiums. He would announce his retirement in 2013, and quietly bowing out, allowing Julian Lambrechts to come into McKenzie after two seasons at Eurosilva.

## **Personal life**

Melnyk today continues to reside in London. He has been married to English actress Catherine Sanders since 2015. They have two children together, one born in 2017 and another born in 2020. Melnyk had two idols growing up - two-time IFS champion James McLennan, and the only other Ukrainian to compete in the IFS, Serhei Sydorenko. In 2021, Melnyk, along with London-born racing driver Amar Hussain, launched a karting academy to grow and nurture young talents from lower income households to promote more talents making it through in motorsports, regardless of financial background.

Melnyk also appears as the cover star on the European edition of the video game IFS 09.