What Are Car Racers Called?

They’re most commonly called “race car drivers” in the United States and “racing drivers” in the United Kingdom and international motorsport. The exact term often depends on the series or discipline—for example, “Formula 1 driver,” “NASCAR driver,” or “rally driver.” This article explains the preferred terminology, how it varies by region and discipline, and related roles within the sport.

Common Terms by Region

Different English-speaking regions favor slightly different terminology. Here’s how the most widely accepted terms are used in media, teams, and fan communities.

• United States: “race car driver” is the standard term in news and everyday usage.
• United Kingdom and international outlets: “racing driver” is the preferred, formal term.
• General motorsport context: “driver” is widely used and understood across series.
• Informal speech: “racer” is common but less specific, as it can refer to athletes in non-motorsport events.
• Occasional alternatives: “auto racer” appears in some American contexts but is less common today.
• Note on other languages: Terms like “piloto” (Spanish/Portuguese) or “pilote” (French) translate to “driver,” but “pilot” is not standard in English motorsport coverage.

In professional and journalistic contexts, “driver” or “racing driver” is considered the most precise, with series-specific labels used for clarity.

Terms by Discipline

Motorsport encompasses many categories, and drivers are typically identified by the series or format they compete in. The following are widely used labels across major disciplines.

• Formula One driver (F1)
• IndyCar driver
• NASCAR driver (Cup/Xfinity/Truck)
• Rally driver (including WRC); paired with a co-driver/navigator
• Sports car or endurance driver (WEC, IMSA), including GT and prototype classes
• Touring car driver (e.g., BTCC, WTCR/TC)
• Drag racer (NHRA and other drag racing series)
• Drifting driver (e.g., Formula Drift, D1GP)
• Kart racer (often a development pathway for future professionals)
• Sim racer (esports), increasingly tied to professional teams and driver development

These discipline-based descriptors help identify both the vehicle type and competitive format, which can differ dramatically in skills, rules, and race strategy.

Professional Titles and Roles Within a Team

Beyond “driver,” professionals may hold specific roles that reflect their status, contract type, or responsibilities within a team or manufacturer program.

• Factory/works driver: contracted by an automaker to race and test its cars (e.g., Porsche, Toyota, Ferrari).
• Privateer: competes independently or with a non-manufacturer-backed team.
• Reserve/test/development driver: supports testing, simulator work, and may substitute in races (common in F1 and endurance teams).
• Junior/academy driver: part of a manufacturer or team’s development pipeline.
• “Gentleman driver”: an amateur or semi-pro who competes alongside pros, especially in GT/endurance categories.
• FIA driver categorization (sports car racing): Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum—used to balance lineups and ensure competitive parity.

These designations influence eligibility, lineups, and strategy—especially in endurance racing, where mixed driver categories share a car.

When to Use “Racer” vs. “Driver”

In motorsport journalism and team communications, “driver” (or “racing driver”) is the norm. “Racer” is informal and broader, often used by fans or in headlines, but it can also describe athletes in other sports (such as cyclists), so it’s less precise. When clarity matters, specify “racing driver” or use the series-specific term.

Related Vocabulary

Understanding adjacent terms helps place “driver” in context within the sport’s structure, events, and language.

• Motorsport/motor racing: the sport as a whole.
• Team/constructor: the organization that runs the car; in F1, a constructor builds the chassis.
• Grid, pole position, front row: starting order and qualifying achievements.
• Pit stop, stint, strategy: race execution elements.
• Livery: the car’s color scheme and sponsor branding.
• Telemetry: data collected from the car for analysis.
• Homologation/Balance of Performance (BoP): rules that govern car specifications and parity.
• Circuit vs. oval vs. street course: track types.
• Co-driver: the navigator who reads pace notes in rallying.
• Licensing: drivers compete under national licenses; top series like F1 require an FIA Super Licence.

These terms are part of standard motorsport discourse and often appear alongside references to drivers in news coverage and broadcasts.

Summary

The accepted term for car racers is “race car driver” in American usage and “racing driver” in British and international contexts. For clarity and professionalism, motorsport media and teams favor “driver,” often paired with the discipline—such as “F1 driver,” “NASCAR driver,” or “rally driver.” While “racer” is common informally, it’s less precise. Titles like factory driver, reserve driver, and FIA categorization further distinguish roles within the sport.

What is a person who drives a car called?

A person who drives a car is generally called a driver. If the person is employed to drive a luxury or private vehicle, they are called a chauffeur. 
Here’s a breakdown:

• Driver: Opens in new tabThis is the most common and general term for anyone operating a car or other vehicle. 
• Chauffeur: Opens in new tabThis term is used for a person who is employed to drive a passenger vehicle, especially a luxury sedan or limousine, providing a higher level of personalized service. 
• Motorist: Opens in new tabThis term can refer to a person who owns or drives a car, but it is often used in a more formal context, or to describe a category of people who drive, like pedestrians or cyclists. 

What do you call a car racer?

Definitions of race driver. someone who drives racing cars at high speeds. synonyms: automobile driver, racer.

What is the fancy name for a car driver?

Synonyms for a car driver include general terms like motorist, operator, and automobilist, and more specific terms like chauffeur (for a professional, employed driver), cabbie or cabdriver (for a taxi driver), and wheelman (for a skilled driver). 
Here is a breakdown of synonyms by context:
General & Everyday 

• Motorist: A person who travels by automobile.
• Operator: A general term for someone who operates a vehicle.
• Automobilist: Someone who drives an automobile, similar to motorist.

Professional & Employed 

• Chauffeur: A professional who drives a passenger motor vehicle, especially a luxury one. 
• Cabbie / Cabdriver: A person who drives a taxi or cab. 

Skilled or Specific Roles

• Wheelman: A driver with notable expertise or skill, often used in a heist context or to describe a person adept at handling the steering wheel. 
• Pilot: Can be used to refer to a driver who expertly controls the vehicle. 
• Teamster: Traditionally a driver of a team of horses or oxen, but can also refer to a truck driver. 

Related Terms 

• Autoist: An alternative term for a motorist.
• Codriver: A person who shares the driving in a long journey.

What is another name for car racing?

Another word for car racing is auto racing, motor racing, or automobile racing. You can also use motorsport as a broader term that encompasses car racing and other competitive driving events. 
Here are some other specific terms for different types of car racing:

• Stock car racing: Racing using production-based cars. 
• Drag racing: A specific type of racing that involves a contest of acceleration over a short distance. 
• Formula 1 racing: or Indy car racing: Specific professional racing series.