Multimatic factory driver Harry Tincknell is a standout talent in the sportscar racing realm that has his sights set firmly on a top-class drive in 2023, when the LMDh formula debuts in IMSA and the FIA WEC. With so many new factory efforts on the way, the driver market has never been so competitive, which is why the next 12 months are hugely important for his career.
29-year-old Tincknell is in a strong position. He is no stranger to competing at the highest level for a factory team, having spent four years with Ford in the FIA WEC before signing with Mazda’s DPi outfit in 2018. Lest we forget that we was also a part of the ill-fated Nissan GT-R LM programme back in 2014-15. Yet, despite having such a wealth of experience, he still feels he has yet to reach his peak and is still improving all the time.
“Thinking back to that first Le Mans with Jota (in 2014) I had no experience or understanding relative to now,” Tincknell admitted to DSC. “Now I’ve raced and won in LMP and GTs. Having both experience helps, it helps me as a driver because you know what drivers in both types of cars are going through. Having exposure to both has improved me, I’m lucky to have such a diverse experience.
The incoming golden era for sportscars is arriving just as I’m reaching my prime
“I have spent the past handful of years driving alongside – and comparing myself with – some of the world’s best drivers too, like Scott Dixon, JB (Jonathan Bomarito) and Andy (Priaulx, below). I have taken the knowledge gained and converted that into a title challenge in IMSA. The incoming golden era for sportscars is arriving just as I’m reaching my prime. It’s good timing, I’m 29, I’ve done Le Mans eight times and won my class twice (with Jota and Aston Martin Racing), I have done WEC and IMSA for four seasons.
“I’m still on the youthful side, but I have so much experience from working with high profile manufacturers, to develop a car from its early stages to a race-winning package to understanding the nuances of racing both sides of the Atlantic.”
His time with Mazda has had its lower points, but the highs have been extremely high. After years of near-misses, Mazda made a breakthrough with its first top-class IMSA DPi win in 2019 at Watkins Glen, with Tincknell as part of the team. This, he told DSC, was one of the standout moments of his career so far, along with his victory at Sebring 12 Hours last year with the Japanese brand.
Since the 2019 season the programme has had a different look and feel, with John Doonan departing as the head of Mazda Motorsports to become President of IMSA, and the effort being scaled back to a single car for Mazda’s final year. Despite these changes, Tincknell said, there has been no change to the team’s ambitions.
“John brought so much passion to the programme and was there with us for the tough times as well as the highs,” he explained. “It was a surprise, and sad to see him leave, but it’s great to see him flourish in his new role. He’s a fan of the sport as much as he is a true professional. With Multimatic now running the programme, we have the right people involved, and Mo Murray, who has taken over from John, brings passion too and truly believes we can win the title this year.”
Tincknell is currently third in the IMSA DPi Driver’s Championship and second in Michelin Endurance Cup standings with teammate Oliver Jarvis with races at Long Beach and Road Atlanta to come. A strong finish to the season will go a long way in helping him secure a place in one of the more prominent programmes next season, which looks to be a big one for LMP2 in IMSA and the FIA WEC.
With the LMDh and LMH cavalry on the way, drivers from across motorsport are circling, and looking for LMP2 seats. The LMP2 marketplace has never been so buoyant, as DSC understands that both IMSA and the FIA WEC are set to feature bigger full season grids in 2022, with the ELMS and Asian Le Mans Series likely to attract big numbers too.
“I’ve never known a time in motorsport where so many programmes have been announced ahead of time, yet there are still seasons to run,” he told DSC. “Ultimately there are more opportunities in LMP2 coming up, but the pool of drivers is going to be much bigger. There are ex-Formula 1 guys, ex-IndyCar guys and many more who are now interested, along with the youngsters and top sportscar drivers. It will be very competitive, but I feel like I’m in a strong position.”
Despite Tincknell’s CV containing titles, big wins and standout performances, his future remains up in the air, with plenty of opportunities but nothing settled. He is not alone though, he is one of many drivers currently in the shop window for WEC and IMSA factory teams yet to confirm a seat for 2023 and beyond.
“LMDh is the destination, that’s where I want to be. DPi works well in the states, and I think LMDh will be positive. I am working hard to make that a reality. There’s a certain level of speculation because I have an association with Audi in Formula E. People think a seat at Audi in LMDh is a certain option, but it’s really not as easy as that.
People think a seat at Audi in LMDh is a certain option, but it’s really not as easy as that
“I’d like to think I’d be in with a shot at various factory programmes, having been a factory driver for the last eight years. Now I’m focused on doing my bit on track. Doing well with Mazda and keeping my hand in Europe with Team Turkey in the ELMS will only help me when it comes to negotiations over the winter.”
Tincknell says his dream would be to compete in IMSA’s LMDh class full time and make an appearance at Le Mans which he feels is still “the carrot being dangled at us all” With Audi’s LMDh programme set to be WEC-focused (DSC understands that a full-season IMSA effort is unlikely as a factory team), perhaps there is a potential opening at Porsche (which like Audi will run a Multimatic-based chassis)? Cadillac, is surely another potential suitor, as it currently has ties with Ganassi, which ran the Ford GT programme Tincknell was a key part of?
“Ultimately I’m a Multimatic driver and I have a relatively long contract with them,” he said. “I’m happy to go where they want me to. If I could be in a prototype in the states or in Europe that would be ideal, but I am adaptable. It’s a slight unknown which seat I will be in next year. A lot of Multimatic’s focus is on 2023, but of course, we still have next year where everyone wants to keep sharp and win races. If Multimatic give me a chance to race with them next year then that would be my first priority.”
