James Jakes

James Jakes, born on August 4, 1987, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is a British former professional racing driver. Jakes began his racing journey at a young age, participating in the BRSCC T-Car series in 2002. He climbed through the ranks of various junior formulas, including British Formula Renault where he finished 3rd in 2005, Formula Three, and GP2 Series. These early successes earned him a McLaren Autosport BRDC Award Nomination and BRDC Rising Star status.

Jakes transitioned to the IndyCar Series in 2011, showcasing his skills with teams like Dale Coyne Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. He participated in the Indianapolis 500 multiple times, with his best finish being 15th in 2012. In 2016, Jakes shifted gears, moving into the World Endurance Championship. While he hasn't been heavily involved in racing recently, he has worked as a test driver for Ginetta's sportscar team, even participating in endurance races in 2022. Currently, he works as a racing driver instructor.