Evan Byrne

as of 2023 European GP

Evan Byrne is an Irish GP4 OC driver currently driving for Red Bull Racing in the 2023 season of the main series.

Billed as a future champion in his F1 career, Byrne earned a reputation in F1 as a serial team-hopper. The Irishman currently holds the record for number of different teams competed with in the sport where he competed for no fewer than 7 constructors in 8 seasons. He only competed with the same team for more than 1 season, that team being McLaren in 2011 and 2012, although he failed to finish the season in 2012 before returning to the sport in 2015 with Sauber.

### Beginning in F1 and Early Promise (2006-09)

Despite a stagnant start to his career in the top tier with Red Bull Racing in 2006 and Honda in 2007, where he initially scored a handful of points across the two seasons, he rose to prominence in 2008 driving for the auspicious Toyota outfit where he finished a career high 8th overall and scored several podiums.

An ill-fated move to Williams in 2009 proved, in contrast, a disaster. Byrne was in a car that was down on pace and nowhere near as competitive as his talents necessitated. A swift switch to Renault for 2010 was planned and confirmed before the season begun.

### Stardom at Renault (2010)

It was at the French Marque, that Byrne shot to star studded levels of success. Finally in a car consistent with his ability, Byrne won his first Grand Prix in Turkey at the final corner with a last ditch manoeuvre on Florian Völker. He marked himself out as a consistent points finisher as well, while not challenging for podiums, he did have the pace over his teammate, the experienced and equally as talented Jay McKenzie. His fine performances led to speculation that Ferrari were due to sign him for 2011 to replace the outgoing Will Neller. In the end, fate was to deal a different hand.

### McLaren (2011-12)

2010 was precisely the season Byrne needed and produced the perfect career move that he had become accustomed to every season. McLaren, seeking to fill the void left by Joseph Willows' move to Ferrari, earmarked the wily Irishman as the perfect replacement for the double world champion.

Byrne made sure on his chance, winning on his debut in Australia and again 2 races later in China. In the end, Byrne would win 6 races in his first season with the team on his way to Third overall behind the dominant Red Bulls. Those 6 wins remain a record amongst drivers, as the most wins in a season without taking the drivers title.

Despite the large amount of wins, 2011 proved a massively missed opportunity for both McLaren and Byrne. Inconsistency and a tendency to either win or crash out, cost them both dearly. That being said, Byrne did finish comfortably ahead of his teammate, 2009 World Champion Miklós Gál.

In a rare break from normality, Byrne remained at McLaren into 2012 and found himself with a new teammate in Danish hotshot Viggo Holst who had moved from Sauber. Despite a relatively strong start to his season, with wins in China and Spain, retirements blighted his charge, with Holst proving a more than worthy adversary with his consistent and reliable points scoring.

Personal problems and behind the scenes tensions attributed to a him missing the British Grand Prix, replaced by Will Neller who was looking to make a comeback. Byrne returned for the German Grand Prix but retired from the race and subsequently decided to retire from F1 completely and with immediate effect. Despite only competing in 9 races that season, Byrne finished a respectable 10th overall, with his teammate Viggo Holst eventually winning his one and only World Championship, leading many to question what might have been had Byrne saw the season out.

### Return to Competitive Motorsport (2014)

After an absence of 2 years of no competitive racing, Byrne was a surprise addition to the DTM rostrum for the 2014 season. The talented Irishman showed he had lost none of his former pace, scoring points on his debut and won his first of three triumphs that season in only his fourth appearance for his new team.

Byrne went on to finish 4th in the standings come the end of the season and was linked with a return to the premier class of racing for 2015.

Byrne's return was confirmed late on in the 2014 close season, as a Sauber driver for the upcoming season, partnering Italian driver, Roberto Gamba.

### Sauber (2015)

Byrne's return to top flight motorsport was inauspicious at best, the new Sauber was highly uncompetitive and proved a tricky customer throughout the early rounds for both drivers. Nonetheless in only his fifth race back, Byrne showcased his fine talent with a very strong fifth place finish in Spain. A handful of points would follow in latter rounds as Byrne proved the more competitive Sauber driver, with his new teammate struggling to get the most out of his new machinery. As a result, Byrne finished a solid 17th in the standings compared to his teammates dismal 21st placing, and won him plenty of applause for what was, in essence, a strong backmarker campaign.

### Haas (2016)

In keeping with established Byrne tradition, the Irishman switched teams come the end of the season. Brokering a move with the struggling American outfit, Haas F1. Partnering the inexperienced Brazilian rookie, Gabriel Gomes, Byrne was anticipating an improved showing for 2016 as the new Haas looked to be a step up on last years Sauber. He didn't disappoint, guiding the new car to several points finishes over the course of the season. His highlight being a very strong 4th place finish in Mexico, despite this however, he finished behind his rookie teammate by only 2 points, courtesy of his fortunate podium finish in Malaysia. Despite this, 14th in the standings was a definite improvement and led to an opportunity for another career change, a seat with his former employers at Renault had opened up, and Byrne duly accepted with the promise of unfinished business with the French Manufacturer.

### Return to Renault (2017-Present)

Having comfortably held the record for different teams raced for (8), Byrne's return to Renault received a positive response, with many commentators hoping this would lead to a period of stability for Byrne's reestablishment at the front of GP4.

Partnering Thai driver, Teeravee Nowteeranon, Byrne once again was met with a relatively new prospect as a teammate. The two would prove to be a strong pairing with both drivers consistently scoring points at the front of the midfield. Byrne in particular was in fine form, taking several strong points finishes throughout the season in a tightly contested and congested midfield. Nowteeranon was equally as successful but overall was unable to match the pace of Byrne who finished well clear of him and a steady 12th in the standings.

2018 would see Byrne remain at Renault, only the second time he had remained at the same team for more than a season, and he had a new teammate. Following his ousting by Mercedes, Polish driver Jay McKenzie had returned to Renault and was reunited with his old teammate, thus creating potentially one of the strongest lineups on the grid for the season.

Byrne scored points in the season opener in Australia, the first time he had done so since his return in 2015.