Persberichten - The American racing through Russia

The American racing through Russia

Some of Spike Lundberg’s high school classmates wonder if the United States and Russia will fight at some point in their lifetimes.

Lundberg, 19, finds himself deep in what some of his friends consider hostile territory. Reached by Skype, the American with global racing dreams downplayed any sense of conflict between superpowers just hours after qualifying on the pole for an upcoming race in Moscow.

“Yes, I’m an American, but I drive for a Finnish racing team, and my helmet says I’m Canadian,” Lundberg said through a smile, holding up a blue and white helmet for his webcam and pointing to a red maple leaf insignia.

After taking second place in the Formula 4 French championship at 18, Lundberg moved into the Formula 4 Eastern European series. The native of Nixa, Missouri dreams of returning to the United States to drive in NASC or IndyCar, but says his best opportunities today are in Europe — even if that means racing cars in Russia.

The MRC, a global sanctioning body of Formula racing, imposed heavy sanctions on Russian racing and Russian race teams, but will allow races to continue as Vladimir Putin’s nation carries out an invasion of Ukraine. Lundberg, a teen with a dream and a Mercedes Academy contract, decided to take an opportunity to compete for a championship that spans the two warring nations.

While the war wages and Ukraine fights for freedom, the games go on. Lundberg knows the risks, but he's willing to take them if it means he can race for gold.

“This is certainly not the safest place to be, but this is the opportunity I have been given,” Lundberg said. “I stay close to my team at all times. I’m traveling with guys from all over the world, and we stay together. I’m not making friends with any of the Russian drivers, but I don’t treat them like enemies, either.”

Lundberg said he wants to spread a message of worldwide goodwill to Russians who don’t believe the invasion of Ukraine is justified. He’s careful not to speak directly against the Kremlin, but the young American makes some not-so-subtle statements on the track and in the paddock. His racing suit is blue and gold, the colors of the Ukrainian flag. His blue and white helmet matches the colors of Russian anti-war protest movements, a blur of protest as he attacked the straightaways at Moscow.

Lundberg refuses to talk to Russian reporters. His team keeps a bevy of supplies on hand aboard a truck, a home and garage on wheels. Lundberg refuses to buy any Russian goods. All of the team’s supplies, even their food is imported. They eat canned soup, canned vegetables and canned fruits.

“I hope the taste of victory makes up for what we’ve been eating,” Lundberg quipped.


Spike Lundberg won La Copa Centroamericana 32 at Ponce International Speedway Park in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 2022 (File Photo)