With WRT, Norman Nato wants to fight for the championship

Norman Nato will begin his third full season in WEC. After a freelance stint with TDS Racing in Spa during the 2018-2019 super-season, the Cannes native experienced the last of LM P1 in 2019-2020 with Rebellion. Returning to LM P2 last year with Realteam, he will still race with an Oreca 07-Gibson sponsored by Esteban Garcia, but now supported by WRT. A structure he knows well having participated in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup with her in 2019.

“I know how the team works, the Frenchman told us in the Sebrng paddock. They have proven what they are capable of in the past. It’s really cool to be back. We learn to discover ourselves a little bit on the job. I also have to adapt to the car compared to what I experienced last year. It’s good to have had the two days of the Prologue for this despite the rain. » A Prologue where WRT has already shown that it is in good shape since Ferdinand Habsburg set the absolute best time of the weekend with this same car no. 41.

“It’s a serious team, so that gives you confidence, Nato continues. We base ourselves on what they know how to do and it’s up to me to bring my experience to help them progress. You shouldn't think it's going to be easy because they won everything last year. The fact that the team is Belgian also makes it easier for me to integrate in terms of language. So it's quite simple. » 

“It is important for the team to confirm”

Norman Nato is definitely more on familiar ground as he knows some of his teammates well, more particularly those of No. 31, including Robin Frijns and Sean Gelael. The Frenchman is all the more well surrounded as he shares his seat with the outgoing champion with WRT, Ferdinand Habsburg: “It is certain that I rely on Ferdinand on certain points of the organization, but I also try to form my own point of view. Even for them, it’s important to have an outside perspective. »

Whether they are in Pro-Am like last year, or in full pro this season, Norman Nato's objectives do not change: “Once you get in the car, you want to win. It doesn't change anything. »

Despite everything, joining a team that has been as successful as WRT necessarily brings higher ambitions. “It is important for the team to confirm and of course you want to fight for the title when you are in such a car, confirms the 29-year-old pilot. We are aware that there is a very high level, including in the sister car. We're just going to try to do our job as best we can. With my experience, I have to do what I know how to help them. If we manage to limit mistakes and score in all races, we will not be far from being able to fight for the championship. This is clearly the objective. »

ALSO READ > 1000 Miles of Sebring – EL3: Glickenhaus ahead Alpine