19-year-old Nico Pino is set to join United Autosports’ IMSA driver roster in 2024, teaming up with Ben Keating and Ben Hanley in pursuit of the 2024 LMP2 Michelin Endurance Cup.
Pino joins the line-up in the seat originally earmarked for Alex Quinn. However, after signing with United, Quinn was upgraded from Silver to Gold by the FIA, making him ineligible for the third seat in the car.
This left United searching for a replacement on short call. After evaluating a number of drivers, it believes Pino is the perfect fit.
“Nico has been one of the standout drivers in both the IMSA and ELMS in recent seasons,” says Richard Dean, United Autosports CEO. “As a young driver with so much success already and the potential to win so much more, we are delighted to have him at United Autosports for our first full season in IMSA next year.”
Chilean racer Pino set records in 2021 as the youngest driver to enter a European Le Mans Series (ELMS) race, taking the wheel of an LMP3 at the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The following year, he celebrated three class wins in the ELMS – stepping up to the LMP2 class in 2023, taking immediate victory at the opening round in Barcelona, and following it up with a back-to-back podium at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet.
Also a familiar face in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, Pino has raced in the LMP3 Michelin Endurance Cup this season, achieving two poles and two podiums.
“United Autosports, a team with a prestigious history and reputation in motorsport is for sure the best place to progress my career,” adds Pino. “I am confident that alongside Ben Keating and Ben Hanley we can fight consistently for the top positions. I can’t wait to start working with the team to prepare the first race of the season, the 24 Hours of Daytona.
“I would like to thank Richard Dean and United Autosports for the opportunity to embrace this project. I will put all my effort into supporting this team.”
Image courtesy of United Autosports
