FIA issue heartfelt tribute after former F3 driver dies aged just 21

Following the news of Chovanek's death, the FIA shared a tribute on social media, extending its deepest sympathies to his family and friends: "The FIA is deeply saddened by the passing of Zdeněk Chovanec, who completed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship back in 2021-2022. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Zdeněk’s family and friends."

The Czech-Portuguese-Venezuelan driver began his single-seater career in 2020, competing in both the Formula 4 UAE Championship and the Italian Formula 4 Championship. Racing for Xcel Motorsport in the UAE series, he finished seventh in the standings with 88 points and two podium finishes from 19 races. He also contested the Italian F4 Championship with Bhaitech, ending the season 17th overall after scoring 18 points across 14 starts.

In 2021, the Czech driver stepped up to higher categories, combining campaigns in the Euroformula Open Championship, the Formula 3 Championship and the F3 Asian Championship. Driving for Double R Racing in Euroformula Open, he finished 15th overall with 33 points from 18 races.

He also made eight Formula 3 appearances for Charouz Racing System, although he did not score any points, while a brief two-race outing with BlackArts Racing in the F3 Asian Championship yielded two points and an 18th-place finish in the standings.

Chovanek returned to Formula 3 in 2022 with Charouz Racing System, contesting four races but once again failing to score, finishing 40th in the championship. Away from F3, he enjoyed greater success in the BOSS GP Series Formula Class, where he drove for MM International Motorsport. Across six races, he claimed five victories, five pole positions and six podiums, amassing 147 points to finish fifth in the standings.

His final appearance in single-seater machinery came in 2023, when he entered one round of the Ultimate Cup Series Proto P3 with TS Corse. Despite contesting just a single race, he scored 24 points and finished 15th in the championship.