Query: What does life within the Amazon rain forest have in frequent with life as a part of an endurance racing crew? “Each methods solely work if every thing is in concord,” explains Felipe Nasr. “It’s all about mutual respect, a optimistic consciousness of dependencies, and a way of group always.”
Luiz Felipe de Oliveira Nasr was born within the Brazilian capital Brasília as the one son of Samir and Eliane on August 21, 1992. He has an older sister, Flavia. “We loved a carefree childhood,” says a grateful Nasr, who’s now a Porsche works driver. He spent a lot of his childhood at racetracks as his father and his father’s brother Amir, sons of a Lebanese immigrant, ran a motorsport crew. Felipe climbed right into a kart for the primary time on the age of eight. “I wasn’t beneath any strain; I used to be simply having enjoyable,” he reminisces. He went on to win karting championships and junior components collection.
In 2009, he moved to Italy. His uncle Amir stayed with him for 2 months, however after that the 16-year-old was on his personal. “I used to be lonely,” admits Nasr, “however I dreamed of competing in System 1.” His dream got here true in 2014. He first served as a reserve driver with the Williams crew, then drove for Sauber for 2 years. He had a improbable debut with Sauber, coming fifth within the first race of the season in Melbourne – one of the best debut any Brazilian has ever achieved within the elite class of motorsport. When the crew was bought, Nasr had to go searching for an alternate choice in 2017. “That was a painful low level,” he admits, “however on reflection it was one of the best factor that would have occurred to me.”
Nasr returned to the opposite facet of the Atlantic to interact in sports activities automotive racing. He wasn’t acquainted with the IMSA collection racetracks however nonetheless succeeded in clinching the title in his first full season in 2018. He subsequently additionally completed in second place total in 2019 and was topped champion once more in 2021. By then, he had been on Porsche Motorsport’s radar for a while and, in summer time 2021, that they had a secret assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I didn’t have to consider it for lengthy – having the chance to compete for this model is a big reward.”
Felipe Nasr wins on his first outing
He thanked Porsche Motorsport in his personal approach – with a win on his first outing for them. In January 2022, he gained the GTD PRO class of the 24 Hours of Daytona in a Porsche 911 GT3 R along with the Frenchman Mathieu Jaminet and the Australian Matt Campbell. “It was identical to in a fairy story!” The race automotive driver, who’s 1.74 meters tall, raises his arms to the skies whereas he talks and his brown eyes sparkle as he ruffles his black hair. “We achieved this collectively – us three drivers and your entire crew. This sort of success solely comes if everybody provides it their all.”
His profession is plagued by successes – however so far as Nasr is worried, his profession has solely simply begun. Utilizing the brand new Porsche 963 LMDh race automotive, he intends to attain wins in different main endurance races, compete for titles, and ship the best-possible efficiency along with the crew. He additionally needs to strike a very good steadiness. He taught himself to play the guitar in 2018 and songs by the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, and Eric Clapton characteristic excessive on the 30-year-old’s checklist of private favorites. The one issues he loves extra are his household and his house metropolis Brasília, which he has since returned to. With the assistance of his sister Flavia, who’s a profitable architect, he constructed his own residence on their dad and mom’ land. “I’m a household man by means of and thru. Flavia and her little daughter Helena, our dad and mom, uncle, aunt, and cousins – we’re a really energetic crew!”
Common travels to the Amazonia area
A crew that by no means loses sight of what actually issues. That is essential to Felipe Nasr. Which is why he repeatedly travels to the Amazonia area. There’s no cellular phone reception or Web there, simply pure nature – and he spends his days there exterior of his consolation zone. On the market within the wilderness, he sits in a dinghy, marvels on the natural world, and goes fishing. He doesn’t eat the fish he catches; he merely observes them. “Fish inventory statement is essential – we’ve got to do one thing to cease species extinction.” He permits the animals to softly slide again into the river. “They’re a part of their very own group there; it’s the place they belong.”
The worldwide driver lineup
Success based on expertise: the 2 Porsche 963 autos competing within the 11 IMSA races are prone to be pushed by Dane Cameron (34, USA), Matt Campbell (27, Australia), Mathieu Jaminet (28, France), and Felipe Nasr (30, Brazil). On the editorial deadline, the drivers chosen for the WEC had been as follows: Michael Christensen (32, Denmark), Kévin Estre (34, France), André Lotterer (41, Germany), and Laurens Vanthoor (31, Belgium). Porsche will announce two extra drivers and the cockpit combos in early December on the Night time of Champions. Groups of three are normal within the WEC, whereas two drivers share the cockpit in IMSA races. These will likely be assisted by a 3rd driver at Street Atlanta (“Petit Le Mans,” 10 hours), in Sebring (12 hours), and in Daytona (24 hours).
Data
Textual content first printed within the Porsche journal Christophorus, No. 405.
Creator: Heike Hientzsch
Pictures: Luisa Dörr
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