What Is a Racecar Driver Called?

A racecar driver is most commonly called a “racing driver” in international and British English, and a “race car driver” in American English. Depending on the series or discipline, more specific terms like “Formula One driver,” “NASCAR driver,” or “IndyCar driver” are also standard.

Standard Terminology

In English-language motorsport coverage, several terms are widely accepted to describe someone who competes in car racing. The nuances often hinge on regional style and formality.

• Racing driver — the prevailing international and British-English term.
• Race car driver — preferred in American and Canadian English, often in newswriting and broadcasts.
• Race driver — a shorter, neutral alternative used across regions.
• Driver — common in context when the sport is clear (e.g., “the driver set pole position”).
• Racer — informal catch-all; can apply to cars, bikes, or mixed motorsport contexts.

All of these are understandable to a global audience, but “racing driver” and “race car driver” are the most widely recognized and stylistically standard.

Regional Usage

While the core meaning is consistent, preferred phrasing shifts by region, and coverage often mirrors local series prominence and style guides.

• United States and Canada: “race car driver,” “NASCAR driver,” “IndyCar driver.” AP style typically favors “race car” as two words.
• United Kingdom and Commonwealth: “racing driver,” “F1 driver,” “touring car driver.” British style guides generally prefer “racing driver.”
• Continental Europe (English coverage): “racing driver” dominates; some non-English languages use equivalents of “pilot,” but in English “pilot” is not standard for car racing.
• Latin America and parts of Europe (local languages): terms like “piloto” (Spanish/Portuguese) or “pilote” (French) are common in their languages; English reporting still uses “racing driver.”

These regional preferences reflect both linguistic norms and the prominence of specific championships within local media ecosystems.

Discipline-Specific Titles

Motorsport is diverse, and titles frequently reference the category, vehicle type, or championship to provide precision.

• Formula One driver (F1 driver)
• NASCAR driver (stock car driver)
• IndyCar driver (open-wheel driver)
• Sports car driver / Endurance driver (e.g., WEC, IMSA)
• Rally driver (specialized in stage rally; not typically called “racecar driver,” but part of motorsport)
• Drag racer (NHRA and similar series)
• Karting driver / Kart racer (development and professional karting)
• Off-road/Baja driver (desert racing, rally raid)

These labels help distinguish the technical demands, regulations, and culture of each branch of the sport.

Related Roles and Distinctions

Within teams and championships, drivers may carry additional descriptors that indicate status, contract type, or responsibilities.

• Professional vs. amateur: indicates whether driving is the primary paid occupation.
• Factory driver (works driver): contracted by an automaker to represent the brand.
• Gentleman driver: an amateur competing alongside pros, common in GT/endurance racing.
• Test and reserve driver: supports development and substitutes in competition if needed, especially in F1.
• Privateer driver: competes independently of a factory program.

These terms provide context about experience, funding, and the competitive structure around the driver.

Etymology and Usage Notes

In English, “race car” is commonly written as two words in news style; “racecar” as a single word appears in informal contexts and is often noted as a palindrome. For the person, “racing driver” vs. “race car driver” is largely a regional preference rather than a difference in meaning. Although some languages use a word equivalent to “pilot” for drivers, English usage reserves “pilot” mainly for aviation; it is not standard for car racing except in translated or stylistic contexts.

Summary

The person who competes in car racing is typically called a “racing driver” (international/British English) or a “race car driver” (American English). More specific labels—such as “F1 driver,” “NASCAR driver,” or “IndyCar driver”—are used to identify the series or discipline, while additional terms like “factory driver” or “gentleman driver” describe role and status within the sport.

What are car drivers 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 is a 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.

Why are race car drivers called pilots?

It’s a language thing. People that have learned English as a second language tend to use the term Pilot. Variations of the word “Pilot” mean “race car driver” in several other languages like French (pilote) or Spanish (piloto)

What do you call someone that races?

Someone who races is commonly called a racer, but the specific term can vary by the type of race, such as a runner for a running race, a rider for horse or motorcycle races, or a driver for car races. 
Here are some common terms for people who race:

• Racer: A general term for someone who takes part in a race of any kind. 
• Runner: Used for someone who competes in a running race. 
• Rider: Used for a person who rides a horse or a motorcycle in a race. 
• Driver: Used for someone who operates a vehicle in a race, such as a race car. 
• Competitor: A synonym for a racer, emphasizing their role in the competition. 
• Contender: Also a synonym, highlighting their potential to win the race.