Italian AF Corse driver Nicola Lacorte makes his GT World Challenge Europe debut this weekend, sitting behind the wheel of the #51 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo. After making his competitive GT3 debut at last year’s 24 Hours of Daytona, the 19-year-old is set for his second outing, aiming to impress and push the car to its limits quickly because not only does he make the switch from Formula 3 to GT machinery in Portimão, but a few weeks later he will also make his debut in the Ferrari 499P Hypercar in the Asian Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard.
Bringing experience into debut
Before arriving for his GTWCE debut, he has been making his miles at Portimão last weekend during the European Le Mans Series rookie test on Sunday in the Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo. Having those laps under his belt, he is heading into this weekend with a relaxed mindset.
“The team is not fighting for any championships, so I’m here to do the best I can. I have no expectations,” as AF Corse are out of contention to win the overall team championship, with Winward Racing having claimed the Endurance title in the previous round.
Continuing on the topic of endurance racing, the three-hour-long race at this rollercoaster circuit isn’t something totally new in terms of challenge, as he made his GT3 debut last year at the IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona, driving for Cetilar Racing alongside his father Roberto and Ferrari drivers Antonio Fuoco and Lorenzo Patrese. The full Italian driver line-up failed to finish due to a mechanical issue, but nevertheless, having taken part in it was a bucket-list achievement on its own.
“I was the youngest driver on the grid. It was a very cool experience to do it with my father. It was a dream of mine.”
Being back for his second GT race, he knows the level won’t be any easier.
“This championship is probably the most competitive. The level of drivers is really high.”
But the aim for him from a personal point of view remains clear.
“I’m just here to gain experience and to learn as much as possible.”
GT3 to hypercar: adaptation is key
After the GTWCE finale, another challenge awaits the F3 race winner as he will make his Hypercar debut in the same team and almost same line-up as at Daytona, with only Patrese not taking part, in the Ferrari 499P in the Asian Le Mans Series.
“I’m glad I have the chance to drive all these different cars in different championships. It helps with the growth of a driver to become a professional.”
On 13 November, when the first round kicks off at Paul Ricard in France (due to the war in the Middle East, the series moved to Europe), he knows adapting to it will again be a challenge on its own.
“The Hypercar will be a big task again. In the last two weeks, I’d say, I’ve been in very different cars, but it’s something that a driver should know. It’s the best training that I can do.”
On the question of whether it is difficult jumping from one car to another, he says to GT REPORT:
“It’s relative, because for someone it can be difficult, for someone it can be his power.”
Full of confidence, he rounds off by saying:
“I think I’m really good at adapting,” as the AF Corse driver continues to show himself on various stages to get the best out of himself.
