Young driver competed in Italian Formula 4, Euroformula Open and FIA Formula 3, as well as representing Portugal in international competitions
Racing driver Zdeněk Chovanec has died at the age of 21. The news was announced on Wednesday (22) by the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation, which expressed its sorrow over the loss of the young competitor. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Chovanec died on Saturday, July 18. Born on October 9, 2004, in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, he had Czech roots and competed internationally under a Portuguese racing licence. The driver had lived in Portugal since 2018, where he began his career in karting competitions.
Before moving into formula cars, Chovanec competed in the Portuguese karting championships. In 2020, he progressed to single-seaters and took part in the Formula 4 UAE Championship, securing two podium finishes and ending the season seventh overall.
Later that year, he raced in Italian Formula 4 with the Bhaitech team. Although he did not complete the full season, he finished 17th in the championship and achieved his best result with a fifth-place finish at Imola.
In 2021, the driver competed in Asian Formula 3 and contested the Euroformula Open with Double R Racing. His series of results opened the door for his debut in FIA Formula 3, one of the main development categories in international motorsport.
Chovanec raced for Charouz Racing System in rounds of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Although he did not score points in the category, he gained experience at major European circuits, including Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring.
Also in 2022, he competed in BOSS GP, a championship that brings together single-seaters from different generations. Driving a Dallara from the former GP2 series, he won Formula Class races at the Red Bull Ring and briefly led the category standings.
In the following years, Chovanec shifted his career towards endurance racing and GT cars. In 2023, he competed in the Ultimate Cup Series and carried out activities with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, seeking new opportunities outside the traditional Formula 1 feeder categories.
In its statement, the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation recalled the driver’s participation in the national karting championships and his subsequent international career in single-seaters. The organisation also extended its condolences to Chovanec’s family and friends.
The farewell ceremony is scheduled for this Thursday (23) at the Matosinhos Funeral Home, in the Porto region. No information has been released about the circumstances of his death.
Source and images: Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation — Instagram @fpakportugal | FIA Formula 3 | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
