Absent for the past two races, Paul Lafargue will not return to the wheel this season due to personal reasons. This time, he is not replaced by Marcos Siebert, who is racing in GT events, but by another South American driver, Nicolas Pino. At 19 years old, he already has solid experience in LMP2, having secured a podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 and completed the entire ELMS season. In 2024, the young Chilean is racing in LMP2 in IMSA as well as in GT in the WEC. Nicolas Pino has also recently been introduced as a Stellantis driver.
Nicolas Minassian, IDEC SPORT team principal, is confident with this new addition : “We had two great races with Marcos. He was very professional and did a fantastic job, but unfortunately, his schedule didn’t align with ours, and he won’t be able to join us for the next two races. But we’re lucky because we talked to Nico Pino, who will become an IDEC SPORT driver starting from Mugello. He has already proven his speed in LMP2. He’s a young and ambitious driver, and we’re very happy to have him with us to continue fighting with the leaders in this final part of the season. Despite his young age, he’s very grounded. He came to fit his seat with us last week. It’s great to have a replacement driver of this quality, who knows the championship, the car, and continues to race in LMP2. I know he will be confident from the very first laps. It’s important that he can adapt quickly because we’re third in the championship and we want to stay in contention.”
“I am very excited to join IDEC SPORT! We’ve already competed against each other in ELMS, and I know it’s a serious team that can compete at the front. I particularly remember a big battle with Paul-Loup at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a pleasure to return to ELMS and drive the Oreca #28 in its most powerful version. I went to the Castellet, where I had the chance to meet some members of the team. I can’t wait to arrive at Mugello under the IDEC SPORT colors. I’ve never driven on this track, but I have one goal: to help the team aim for a victory,” says Nicolas Pino.
The Chilean will join Job Van Uitert and Reshad de Gerus for the 4 Hours of Mugello on September 29.
