Skyler Laurent

Laurent in 2023

Marc Laurent (grandfather)

Daddy Issues

Formula Regional Americas Championship

F4 British Championship

Karting World Championship

WIP

Skyler Li Laurent *(born 12 December 2005)* is a Canadian and Chinese racing driver set to compete in Formula One with Red Bull Racing under the Canadian flag. He most recently raced in the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing. Laurent has won multiple single-seater titles throughout his career, namely the United States and Chinese F4 Championships, and the 2021 Formula Regional European Championship with Prema. He competed in Formula One at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix in place of Dustin Moore, where he finished third. Subsequently, he was announced as a Red Bull driver in 2024 alongside Atos Trent. He is the son of Formula One World Champion Étienne Laurent, and grandson of Marc Laurent.

## Personal life

Skyler Li Laurent was born in Montreal to former racing driver Étienne Laurent and former actress Annie Li. His father died in an accident when he was young, after which he lived with his mother. Laurent has a younger half-sister, from his mother's second marriage.

His father's side has a long association with motor sports: Étienne Laurent was a Canadian former Formula One driver, as was his grandfather before that. Although Laurent has a Chinese mother, he competes under a Canadian racing licence. In 2022, however, Laurent stated that he appreciates both sides of his heritage, in response to questions regarding his Chinese sponsors.

Laurent moved to Milton Keynes shortly after his 18th birthday.

In his free time, Laurent actively livestreams on online streaming platform Twitch. His content ranges from shooter games to sim racing. Laurent supports the Montreal Canadiens NHL team, having played hockey in his youth. Laurent speaks two languages fluently, Quebecois French and English, as well as a small amount of Mandarin Chinese and Italian.

Between February 2022 and January 2024, Laurent was dating childhood friend and German influencer Layla Weiss.

## Junior career

### Karting

Laurent started racing in karts at the age of four and competing in championships at the age of seven.

With a rush of support from local community, he entered international karting in 2016 at ten years old.

In 2020, aged 15, Laurent won the WSK Euro in KZ class. He won the 2020 World KZ Championship at Lonata del Garda, Italy, becoming the youngest driver ever to win the KZ World Championship.

### Formula 4

#### 2020

While in his last year of karting, Laurent was offered a drive from Crosslink Kiwi Motorsports began his single-seater career in the F4 United States Championship. He won the title in his first year,

Laurent garnered more sponsorships during his season of the F4 Chinese Championship, where he collected another championship win with Champ Motorsport.

At the end of 2020, he was named as a part of the Red Bull Junior Team's lineup.

#### 2021

In 2021, Laurent raced for JHR Developments in the F4 British championship, finishing 8th.

### Formula Regional

#### 2021

Returning to Crosslink Kiwi, Laurent placed 6th in the Formula Regional Americas Championship. He missed one weekend on the 25th and 26th of September to participate in the FR European race.

Unhappy with the result, Laurent was traded to Prema Racing for the 2021 Formula Regional European Championship, where he finished runner-up. A scandal regarding the winner's car ended with a point penalty being issued, handing Laurent the title.

### Formula 3

#### 2021

Collecting 4 wins across the season, Laurent placed fourth in the FIA Formula 3 Championship on the Prema lineup.

#### 2022

Laurent was not able to promote to Formula 2 due to financial concerns. In March 2023, he expressed a feeling of disconnect from other drivers because of his journey up the ranks.

He raced for Prema for a second season of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, claiming 9 wins across the board and finishing with the championship title.

## Formula One

#### 2022

During the 2022 season, Laurent tested for Red Bull Racing in a scheduled mid-season test. He set the second fastest lap in the second day of testing at the Hungaroring. In late 2022, Laurent became the official Red Bull and AlphaTauri test and reserve driver for the 2023 season.

### Red Bull Racing (2023-present)

Laurent's involvement with the Red Bull Formula One team was a well-kept secret, until Laurent participated in his first official practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix, recording 26 laps. He drove in six further practice sessions during the year, before scoring a 3rd place podium when replacing Dustin Moore at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix.

Laurent was contracted to drive for Red Bull Racing for the 2024 Formula One World Championship, partnering Atos Trent. His contract assures him a seat for the next two years.

## Relationships

 Dustin Moore | Neutral..?
 Atos Trent
 Charlotte Jones
 Jin Kusuma
 Kian Sunstar | Somewhat Positive

## Trivia

* Following Laurent's debut at the 2023 Dutch GP at 17 years old, the FIA has implemented the 18 year old minimum age to help maintain the sport's "elitist nature."
* His social media handle on Instagram, Twitter, and Discord is @skywalker12.
	+ The nickname "Skywalker" is derived from his name and his known fondness for the Star Wars franchise.

* He is left handed.
* He was diagnosed with dyslexia at seven years old.