Chilean driver Nicolás Pino Leon has certainly made his mark in endurance racing since the 18-year-old from Santiago made his ELMS debut at Spa in 2021.
In 2022 Nico nearly clinched the LMP3 title with Charles Crews and Guilherme Oliveira.The trio had secured three victories with Inter Europol Competition and were favourites to lift the title in Portugal but a mechanical failure towards the end of the race put them out of the race and their title hopes were dashed in an instant. That’s how cruel endurance racing can be.
For the 2023 ELMS season the LMP3 Vice Champion moved up to LMP2 with Duqueine Team and got his season off to a great start, finishing the race on the top step of the LMP2 podium alongside Neel Jani and Rene Binder.
So how did Nico rate his first ELMS LMP2 in Barcelona?“For me the race is not run only on Sunday,” Nico Pino replied. “I consider that this race represents how we have been working and the constantly improving together as a team during the off season, and every time we’ve hit the track. We are very conscious that what matters is not where we start, but where we finish. That drives us to constantly to improve.”
The 4 Hours of Barcelona was the first race where the LMP2 and LMP2 Pro/Am classes were separated, but the cars in both classes are the same.
Was it a surprise for Nico to be fighting with LMP2 Pro/Am cars for the overall podium places and beaten to the chequered flag by Racing Team Turkey? “We expected to see a few LMP2 Pro/Am on the battle for a podium as there is a few line up of drivers to a close level to the LMP2 Pro class, especially if there was a Safety Car later on the race that would join the pack again when the ‘Pro’ drivers jump in the car. Of course, the pace of Team Turkey was really strong, especially on the second stint tyres where we struggle a lot mid race due to an issue.”
Nico Pino will be racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time, and with it being the 100thAnniversary of the first event in 1923, he has chosen a very special year to make his debut.“For me all races are important, and for me the most important race is the one to come,” he admitted. “The next one is Le Mans and I have always worked with that mindset. Obviously, Le Mans represents many things. For the history, for the winners, the atmosphere which make the 24H of Le Mans such an iconic race and we have prepared ourselves to be part of that history.”
Having raced in the Road To Le Mans last year Nico has some experience of the 13.6km La Sarthe circuit and he also has two very experienced teammates in Neel Jani and Rene Binder, with Neel a former overall winner and world champion with Porsche.
“We've been creating a very good relationship between the three of us. We are working as a team. I’m the youngest driver and, just like I’ve done in the past, I always try to get the best and learn from them. Each has unique characteristics on and off track which help me constantly progress. It has been very pleasant for me to meet Neel and Rene at this point of my career. Now there is a plan for Le Mans. And just like we've done it before. We will keep being consistent with the plans that we have set to keep improving.”
After Le Mans the ELMS heads to Le Castellet for Round 2, what does the Chilean think of that circuit?“For me Le Castellet is a great track and also very challenging for the high and low speed combination of corners. And about how I think we will perform? I prefer to respond to that question only after Le Mans. Today I have full focus on that race.”
