Novikov, WRC

Novikov, who started competing as a 15-year-old, forged a reputation as being blisteringly fast but frequently prone to error during his maiden season of World Rally Car competition in 2009.

Despite his tender age - he was 18 at the time - and lack of experience, Novikov nevertheless impressed during an eight-round campaign in a Citroen Junior Team C4 WRC, scoring a career-best fifth place in Sardinia.

Novikov began his competition career in karting aged 10 and his programme took him to France and

Germany. At the same time his father had developed an interest in rallying and started taking lessons from Russian champion Alexei Vosiliev, which had a huge impact on Evgeny’s eventual career choice.

But Novikov Jr’s real passion remained behind the wheel and when he was old enough - 15 - he entered the Russian Rally Cup series in a Mitsubishi Lancer. He was running second until his father pulled over to let him win his first event. The title followed even though he had to rely on his navigator to drive on road sections because he was under the legal driving age in Russia.

Nationality:Russian
Date of Birth:19 Sep 90
Car:Ford Fiesta RS WRC
Co-driver:Stephane Prevot
WRC Debut:Great Britain 2007