In 2023 Ferrari took their first overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time since 1965. While it was a long time to wait, the Prancing Horse certainly made its presence felt in the brand new Hypercar class with the beautiful Ferrari 499P.
In 2024, Ferrari did it again, with two cars on the podium.Nicklas Nielsen, Miguel Molina and Antonio Fuoco celebrating in true motorsport style in one of the most competitive races in the 101-year history of the world’s most famous race.It seems very apt that Nielsen’s first race since that win is in Italy at the circuit that bears the name of Enzo Ferrari.
The 27-year-old driver from Horning in Jutland has had a meteoric rise since winning the WSK Champions Cup in karts.
In 2018 he won the Ferrari Challenge title, followed by the ELMS LMGTE title in 2019.He switched to the FIA World Endurance Championship the following season, winning the LMGTE Am titles in 2020 and 2021.
In 2022 Nielsen switched to Le Mans Prototypes, winning the LMP2 Pro/Am title at his first attempt. In 2023 he became part of the Ferrari AF Corse Hypercar squad finishing third overall in the debut season, and, of course, he has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024.
Nicklas Nielsen returns to the ELMS this weekend, racing with fellow Danes Johnny and Conrad Laursen in the no50 Formula Racing Ferrari 296 LMGT3. The Danish trio won the first race of the year in Barcelona and are looking to return to winning ways in the first of two visits to Italy by the ELMS.
CLICK HERE to read this interview in the 4 Hours of Imola event programme.
Q: Congratulations to you and the rest of the Ferrari AF Corse team on a great result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.Your name now joins a very elite band of drivers who have won Le Mans, including your fellow Dane and ‘Mr Le Mans’ Tom Kristensen.How does that feel?
Nicklas Nielsen:“First of all it feels amazing to win.I also feel that the way we won was quite remarkable, so I am very proud to be the next Dane in the line to win this race. Like Tom said, it’s a very small club since we are just three. Nevertheless, I’m really proud to join this exclusive club.Not only of Danish drivers but in general.
“Many people race their whole life to win in Le Mans and for me to win it in the second year of the Hypercar with Ferrari is something that I am really very proud of.”
Q: The 24 Hours of Le Mans was a very difficult and competitive race this year.How did it go from your perspective?
NN: “The race was very, very tricky.The circumstances and track conditions were horrible at one point.I know for the spectators it must’ve been quite boring during the long safety car period that we had.It was a long period but, in the end, it was necessary because, first of all, we couldn’t see anything as is always the case in rain. When we start not being able to go on the straight without risky to lose the cars, this is something completely different.It was a tough race but that’s why I think the victory was even better for us.”
Q: What was the view and the feeling from the top step of that very famous podium?
NN:“It was incredible and quite difficult to describe as well. I felt very lucky to be in the position I was in, being in a car that could win. Doing it with Ferrari and for the second year in a row we took the top step and with the no51 on the podium as well.Last year was amazing for the team but for us in the 50 car this is exactly what we needed after a season with very good pace but some unlucky situations. So for us to take the victory and to be celebrated on the podium with so many people around was incredible.”
Q: We now head to the Imola, the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. After winning Le Mans with Ferrari does it make your ELMS return extra special racing in a Ferrari in Italy?
NN:“Whenever we race in Italy there is great support and I’m looking forward to going to Imola and sharing the car with Johnny and Conrad, two very important people for me.Johnny was the one who opened the door, together with Amato (Ferrari), to go into Ferrari.So, to share car with him and with his son Conrad, who I used to coach in karting, is something I am very happy to do.
“The results are good, we won in Barcelona, and we are a very strong team together. I’m very honoured to be able to share these experiences with them.”
Q: You’ve also won in the ELMS this season in Spain, finishing first alongside fellow Danes Johnny and Conrad Laursen in the Formula Racing Ferrari 296 LMGT3.How would you sum up your season so far in the ELMS?
NN: “I think we’ve had a strong season so far with the win in Barcelona. Our goal for the season is to try and win the championship.I want to see Johnny and Conrad back in Le Mans next year as well, so that’s the goal for me.I feel we have a good chance but it’s always difficult to predict.However, we are in good position with a good car and a good team behind us, so we are in good position to do well in Imola and in the championship.”
Q: You’ve already raced in Imola this season in the WEC, finishing the six-hour race in fourth place last April. What are your thoughts on the circuit in Imola and what is your favourite part of the track?
NN: “Imola is one of the coolest tracks we have on the calendar.I think my favourite part of the track is going down into Acque Minerali, but it is very difficult to choose just one corner or one section.
“I think the track in terms of layout, in terms of corners, speed and so on is very complete.It’s a very narrow track, which makes it difficult to pass.It’s also interesting to race there, especially with the Hypercar, trying to manage the traffic with the GTs. Obviously, it’s going to be the same in the ELMS, but it’s the other way around for me this weekend, but Imola always brings out some competitive racing.”
Q: How difficult is it to change from racing the Ferrari 499P Hypercar to the 296 LMGT3? How do you adapt as a driver?
NN: “It’s actually not a big deal to be honest.The cars are very different. It does take a few laps to get back into the rhythm but it’s not something I am thinking about or finding difficult.I’m the type of guy who just loves racing, so I am just happy to race in whatever car.If it’s the 499P I’m happy to go on track and if it’s the 296 I’m happy to go as well.I always do my best in whatever car I am driving.”
Q: The LMGT3 category in the ELMS is ultra-competitive this season.Who do you see as your main rivals in Imola?
NN: “I think Porsche has been really strong so far, so I would say that they are our main rivals. But it’s funny that when you think someone is your closest rivals then somebody else shows up.That’s the beauty of our racing, it’s always a bit unpredictable in testing and qualifying and you don’t really know where you are until the race starts, and it’s the same every year.
“However, looking at the results so far, and also the speed of the cars, I would say that Porsche is lightly ahead of us but I do believe that we have the best car in terms of race pace.Qualifying is always important of course and Johnny did a good job in Barcelona, so I am sure we can fight for another top result in Imola.”
CLICK HERE to read this interview in the 4 Hours of Imola event programme.
