Hossein Esfandiari

Hossein Esfandiari is an Iranian Formula D driver currently employed with Wright FD.

Early Career
Esfandiari did not break into racing until late in his teens. After moving to Portugal, he became interested in motorsports, but did not join a karting league until he was 18. After bringing home two nationwide trophies, he was scouted by Europa Formula team Kirkpatrick Racing. He took hime his first championship his second year with Kirkpatrick before moving to Gibralter Auto Racing the following season when Kirkpatrick filed for bankrupcy.

Season 1
Esfandiari was hired by Wright FD as a test driver just before the cricitical mid-season upgrade when original test driver Nunzio Pittaluga was given a seat in the Group D Touring Car Championship. While Esfandiari struggled to get up to speed with the rest of the team, he was able to provide invaluable data that allowed Wright to take home a few podiums and their first win in Germany. The data he provided at their second mid-season upgrade session allowed the team to take second place at every remaining race. In light of this success, Esfandiari was retained as test driver for a second season.

Season 2
At the start of the second season, Esfandiari was partnered with Andres Castillo as part of the team's efforts to bring in as much data as possible about their car. By the time of the Grand Prix of Italy, Wright became frustrated with drivers Clint Hurdle and Mariana Castro and opted to place Esfandiari and Castillo in their cars. Castillo was given prime position in spite of his age due to his longer service record in motorsport, but Esfanfiari was given equal treatment with the team. He brought in a second place finish in the team's first 1-2 victory at his first race in Monza, but suffered a retirement in Belgium. Another second place victory in France was again counterbalanced by a retirement at Road America. Critics panned him for his yo-yoing, but Esfandiari took home his first victory at Laguna Seca, followed by average positions throughout the rest of the year. He finished 8th in the Drivers Championship, 17 points adrift of teammate Castillo, but only 52 points shy of Mikhail Volkov, who had run in 7 more races than Esfandiari.

Complete Formula D Results
(Results in bold indicate pole position)