Nico Pino continues his learning of Endurance

Nico Pino will discover a new championship with the Asian Le Mans Series, still with Inter Europol Competition in LM P3.

Published on 09/02/2022 à 13:54

Valentin GLO

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Nico Pino continues his learning of Endurance

After two races in European Le Mans Series in 2021, Nico Pino continues his prototype apprenticeship at just 17 years old. The young Chilean, who debuted “eight or nine years now”, will in fact discover the Asian Le Mans Series after participating in the 24 Hours of Daytona at the end of January. He will compete in the four rounds of the Asian championship with the team that made his debut in Endurance last year, Inter Europol Competition. “ It's my first time in this championship (in the Asian Le Mans Series. Editor's note), Nico Pino told us in the paddock of the Dubai Autodrome where the first two rounds will take place this weekend.. I already rode with Inter Europol last year at Spa-Francorchamps and Portimão, these were my first races with them. I was able to get to know the team and the car and I'm happy to be back among them. »

The young man competed in his first race in a prototype only a few months ago, on September 19, 2021 during the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the fifth and penultimate round of the European Le Mans Series season. “ It was very strange, remembers Nico Pino. I had never driven at Spa before, it was my first time with the team and with a prototype. There was a lot to learn quickly because we didn't have much time before the race. It was a really good opportunity and it was great to be able to get back in the car at Portimão." Unfortunately for the Chilean and his teammates Mattia Pasini and Mateusz Kaprzyk, the Polish team's Ligier JS P320 had retired in the Ardennes due to a broken exhaust. It went better in Portugal, with a seventh place in the LM P3 category.

A resident of the British Formula 4 championship in 2020 with Argenti Motorsport and the Euroformula Open Championship with Drivex School in 2021, Nico Pino hopes to be able to continue on a double program. “ The plan is to do a hybrid program, but it depends on budget and costs. It's impossible to say what the future will hold, but I will try to participate in both as long as possible in order to develop myself as a driver. » And to one day participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans? « Le Mans is a legendary race. It's the most complicated in the world. Every driver in the world dreams of winning it. » In the meantime, it's time for the Asian Le Mans Series this weekend in Dubai.

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Valentin GLO

Journalist. Endurance reporter (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS) and sometimes F1 or IndyCar.

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