Simon Pagenaud Bio: Family, Wife, Crash, Charity and Net worth

French professional racing driver Simon Pagenaud drives for Meyer Shank Racing in the NTT IndyCar Series. He is the 2016 IndyCar Series champion and the 2019 Indianapolis 500 champion.

His passion for racing ignited at age four after he watched the Senna and Prost rivalry on TV. For those who don’t know, the Prost-Senna rivalry was a famous F1 rivalry between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.

By age 8, he had already started Karting racing at regional levels. 

In 2001, he entered the Volant Elf, a racing competition for young drivers, and eventually won the championship.

For four years, he raced in different ranks of junior formulae until he shifted to single-seater racing in 2005.

Fascinated by American racing, he traveled to the States in 2006 and won the Champ Car Atlantic.

Two years later, he moved to the American Le Mans Series, co-piloting for De Ferra Motorsports alongside former CART champion Gil de Ferran.

The 40-years-old racer landed in the IndyCar Series in 2012 with Sam Schmidt/Hamilton/ Honda racing.

He then moved to Team Penske in 2015, nearly winning that year’s Indianapolis 500.

For the team’s 50th racing anniversary, he gifted them with the IndyCar Series championship in 2016.

Some years later, he also grabbed the 2019 Indianapolis 500, becoming the first French driver to win the title.

As of the 2024 season, the 2012 IndyCar Rookie of the Year winner has competed in 193 IndyCar Series races, with 15 wins, 38 podium finishes, and 13 poles.

Simon Pagenaud’s Family: Parents And Sister

Born on May 18, 1984, he is the son of Sylvie Pagenaud and Christian Pagenaud. He grew up in Montmorillon, a city branded “City of Writing” in western France.

His father is a grocer at the family’s E.Leclerc supermarket in Montmorillon, France, while his mother is a choreographer who was formerly a dancer.

The Pagenaud family founded a driving school that served as the financial foundation for Simon to launch his racing journey.

He has an older sister, Julie, 42, with whom he used to race during their childhood while they had to go collect mail.

Simon Pagenaud and Hailey McDermott’s Wedding

He married his longtime girlfriend, Hailey McDermott, a graphic designer and instructor, in Napa, California, on October 25, 2019.

After dating for seven years, the couple tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony at the Auberge du Soleil resort attended by around 60 friends and family.

Interestingly, the wedding took place five months after he won the Indianapolis 500, the most significant victory of his life.

Talking to PEOPLE, he said,

“I dreamt about winning Indy. I didn’t know when it was going to happen or if it was going to happen — I certainly never imagined it would happen the same year I was getting married.”

Simon looked dapper in his custom burgundy suit by Ravazzolo, complemented by an RM67-01 Richard Mille watch.

Likewise, Hailey appeared stunning in her lace gown by Winnie Couture with a corset-style top and sheer sleeves.

For the wedding, the couple’s dog, Norman, played the role of a ring-bearer, donning a tuxedo that perfectly complemented Pagenaud’s attire.

After almost two years of marriage, the couple announced the arrival of their son, Marley Pagenaud, in May 2021.

Simon Pagenaud’s Crash And Injury

The 40-years-old racer was involved in a severe crash during practice for the IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio on July 1, 2023.

His No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Dallara-Honda lost its brakes in Turn 4 and went airborne and barrel-rolling several times before coming to rest upside down against the tire barrier with just nine laps left in the race.

The Meyer Shank Racing team took to Twitter to reveal that the issue stemmed from a “manufacturer brake failure.”

Linus Lundqvist replaced the recovering Simon Pagenaud at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Brickyard Weekend in August 2023.

With this, Pagenaud missed his sixth consecutive Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course while recovering from his scary practice crash.

Unlike his real-life crash, he was involved in an accident competing in an eSports event via the iRacing simulation.

The event dates back to 2020 when Formula 1 driver Lando Norris and Simon Pagenaud engaged in a competitive showdown on the virtual rendition of the renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway circuit.

Simon Pagenaud’s Net Worth And Income Sources

Pagenaud hasn’t revealed anything on how much he earns and his net worth as well.

However, some sources claim that he might have accumulated his net worth in millions.

And that might be possible as well because he is an award-winning driver and bags a considerable sum from sponsorships and endorsements.

He has partnered with sponsors like Tag Heuer, Bose, and Miller Lite.

Moreover, Pagenaud supplements his earnings through merchandise sales as well. He has a line of merchandise available on his website and on the official IndyCar store.

The merchandise includes t-shirts, hats, die-cast cars, and other souvenirs.

Simon Pagenaud’s Charitable Work

Tribute To Late-F1 World Champion Ayrton Senna

During the 2014 Indianapolis 500, Pagenaud wore Ayrton Senna’s iconic yellow-with-blue-and-green stripes design helmet as an act of homage.

Ayrton Senna, a three-time Formula One world champion, died in a crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix held at Imola, Italy.

This unique gesture was a tribute to Senna’s enduring legacy in motorsport.

In November of that year, he auctioned off the helmet to benefit the Ayrton Senna Institute, a Brazilian non-profit organization that promotes children’s literacy and education.

Expressing his gratitude, Pagenaud said,

“I am genuinely privileged that Viviane, alongside her son Bruno Senna, a fellow race-car driver, has granted me the honor of participating in this exceptional tribute to Ayrton’s memory during the Indianapolis 500.”

Fundraiser For The SeriousFun Children’s Network

A ping pong tournament featuring IndyCar drivers was held on May 5, 2018, at Smash Social in Indianapolis.

The event was a fundraiser for the SeriousFun Children’s Network, a community that provides camps and programs for seriously ill children.

The tournament featured IndyCar drivers, including Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, and Alexander Rossi, and raised over $85,000 for the SeriousFun Children’s Network.

Support To Distressed Individuals

Pagenaud and Julius-K9 displayed a heartwarming act by contributing $5,000 in donations to support the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry’s vital mission.

This initiative involves providing trained dogs to distressed individuals, such as those who have experienced trauma, abuse, and disaster.

Interesting Facts

• The full name of Pagenaud is Simon Pierre Michel Pagenaud.
• He has a snake phobia. He said in a podcast in 2021 that he would rather get hit in the wall at 200 miles per hour than be around snakes.
• He stands at a height of 5 feet 10 inches and weighs around 168 lbs.
• Until he was 20 years old, Pagenaud worked at the family’s E.Leclerc supermarket in Montmorillon, France, handling several departments like video games, produce, and cheese.
• From the age of 9 to 16, he raced in Karting at a regional level. During that time, his dad got involved with the newly built racetrack, Circuit du Val De Vienne, close to his hometown.
• 2023 marks the 12th season of French racer Simon Pagenaud in the NTT INDYCAR Series.
• Besides racing, he is also an enthusiastic foodie and red wine enthusiast, curating a wine cellar in France.
• His all-time favorite musician is Bob Marley.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who replaced Simon Pagenaud in the NTT IndyCar Series?

Swedish racing driver Linus Lundqvist replaced Pagenaud in the Series. He is piloting the No. 60 Honda for Meyer Shank Racing.

How many wins does Simon Pagenaud have?

Simon Pagenaud has won 15 IndyCar races. He also has 38 podium finishes and 13 pole positions.

When Will Simon Pagenaud Return From Injury?

As of 2024, IndyCar Medical Team has not granted him permission to make a comeback.