Nielsen Racing welcomes Nick Yelloly to the team for the fourth round of the European Le Mans Series, the 2024 4 Hours of Spa. Nick will join our Pro-Am lineup in the #24 Oreca 07, racing alongside John Falb and Colin Noble, currently sitting fifth in the championship after securing a popular podium in Barcelona.
BMW works driver Nick Yelloly, a seasoned racer with a diverse background spanning almost every major category in motorsport, is set to make his LMP2 debut at Spa with Nielsen Racing.
Nick has excelled in everything from single seaters to GT racing, including F1 and Hypercar in IMSA. Now, he is taking on a new challenge at one of the most iconic circuits in the world, bringing his wealth of experience to the highly competitive LMP2 Pro-Am class at the European Le Mans Series.
Q) Nick, congratulations! This is something a bit different for you! You've won some of the biggest GT3 and GTP equipment races worldwide. What's the attraction of the LMP2 class?
"I'm delighted to jump in and help out; I have bags of experience at this circuit, so I don't need to learn the circuit, just the car a little bit. It's an LMP2 Oreca, which is a downforce car, so I'm used to that!"
Q) You know the circuit well, having won the 24 Hours of Spa in 2023, but you have not raced an LMP2 car there. Tell us how you approach the race week?
"I am not totally new to LMP2, but it's been a while, 2015/16 around Spa, but time moves on. It will be all about getting up to speed as fast as we can. We have the Wednesday test, so we will maximise that.
"It will be difficult from zero as there are a lot of great drivers in this championship, and the test will be all about getting up to speed and working with the team, which will be great."
Q) Nielsen Racing are competing in the Pro-Am championship, so you will be working alongside both Gold and Bronze-graded drivers. How does this affect the way you integrate with the team in terms of car setup?
"I'll be working with both John and Colin in #24. It will be key to ensure that the car is best suited for them, and then I adapt my driving style to the final setup. They will already have a good understanding of what they want and need—having driven the car all season—and I've already opened communications with them on this to get the conversation started. It's a learning process that I am looking forward to.
Q) What would constitute a successful race weekend for you?
"They already have secured a podium this year, so if that were to be repeated, that would be good as we run as a trio for the first time. For me, it's just about maximising every opportunity that opens, making the best of any chance, and we will take it from there. More points, though, is always better."
Q) This year you have tested F1 machinery, raced GT3 and GTP, how do you adapt to the performance limit of the cars?
"I am lucky enough to have driven a lot of race cars during my career, so honestly, adding a new one – LMP2 – shouldn't be much of an issue. It's all about pushing hard and finding those limits regardless of the car.
"I'm sure that within five laps, I'll find those levels of Oreca to get within a good level, then a little longer to find the nuances of the car. There are a lot of good people within the team. As for the drivers, we will all work together. I know Will Steven in the sister car from our Renault 3.5 days!"
