Nico Pino Bio
Nicolás Ignacio Pino Muñoz, known professionally as Nico Pino, is a Chilean racing driver born on 21 September 2004 in Santiago, Chile. He currently competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Proton Competition, having established himself as a rising figure in international endurance racing.
Beginning his career in karting as a child in his home country, Pino progressed through formula racing before transitioning to prototype categories. His professional career has included stints in the European Le Mans Series, the Asian Le Mans Series, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he has recorded notable results across multiple classes.
Early Life and Background
Nico Pino was born and raised in Santiago, Chile, where he first encountered motorsport through local karting events. Growing up in a country with a developing racing scene, he gained early exposure to competitive driving and quickly developed a passion for the sport.
He began racing karts at the age of eight, competing in Santiago de Chile and building his skills against regional competition. By the age of thirteen, Pino had advanced enough to move beyond South America and began competing on the European and World karting circuits, marking his first major step toward an international career.
His time in karting gave him a strong technical foundation and race craft that would later support his transition into single-seater formula cars. The decision to relocate for karting set the tone for his professional path, which has continued to involve competition across multiple continents.
Path to Endurance Racing
After karting, Pino moved into single-seater racing and made appearances in the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship in 2019. The following year, he switched to the British F4 Championship with Argenti Motorsport, although he left the series after four rounds.
At the end of 2021, he returned to single-seaters with an appearance in the Euroformula Open Championship round at Monza Circuit. He returned to the series the following year with Drivex, contesting three rounds as he continued to gain experience in formula racing.
His move to endurance racing began in late 2021 when he joined Inter Europol Competition for the final two races of the European Le Mans Series in the LMP3 class. This marked the beginning of a successful chapter in prototype competition, leading to his LMP2 debut in 2023 and eventually to the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024.
Nico Pino Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Pino’s first significant endurance campaign came at the end of 2021, when he joined Inter Europol Competition for the closing rounds of the European Le Mans Series in the LMP3 category. The experience introduced him to multi-class prototype racing and long-distance formats.
In 2022, he drove for Inter Europol Competition in the Asian Le Mans Series alongside Guilherme Oliveira, finishing seventh in the nine-car championship. He then completed a full ELMS campaign with Oliveira and Charles Crews, winning three successive races at Monza, Barcelona, and Spa. Despite a late collision that forced the team to retire from a later round, the No. 13 crew finished second in the standings. That same year, Pino also scored a podium at the Petit Le Mans event in IMSA with Sean Creech Motorsport.
LMP2 Step-Up (2023)
The 2023 Asian Le Mans Series season opened Pino’s LMP2 chapter, as he partnered László Tóth and team owner Miro Konôpka at ARC Bratislava. The four-race campaign proved challenging, with a best finish of seventh and a ninth-place result in the teams’ standings.
During the summer, Pino split his program between Europe and America. With Duqueine Team in the European Le Mans Series, he partnered René Binder and former WEC and Le Mans champion Neel Jani, securing two Pro class podiums and finishing fourth in the standings. In IMSA, he contested the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds with Sean Creech Motorsport’s LMP3 outfit, recording second-placed finishes at Daytona and Road America. The same trio also competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where they scored a class podium with third place.
WEC Debut and Proton Competition Era (2024–Present)
In 2024, Pino made his debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship, competing in the newly formed LMGT3 category for United Autosports. He simultaneously signed with Nielsen Racing for the European Le Mans Series and took over the seat of Alex Quinn in United’s Michelin Endurance Cup lineup in IMSA. At the end of April 2024, it was also announced that Pino had joined Stellantis Motorsport.
Following his time with United Autosports, Pino moved to Proton Competition, where he currently races in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Driving the No. 99 entry, he has continued to develop his profile in the endurance racing scene.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pino has demonstrated adaptability across multiple prototype and GT categories, transitioning successfully between LMP3, LMP2, and LMGT3 machinery. His results in long-distance events, including podium finishes at Le Mans, Daytona, and Road America, suggest strong stamina and consistent race pace. His partnerships with experienced co-drivers such as Neel Jani and René Binder have helped him refine his approach to endurance formats.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among his signature results is the class podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023, along with consecutive ELMS victories at Monza, Barcelona, and Spa in 2022. His second-placed finishes at Daytona and Road America in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup further highlight his performance in high-profile North American endurance events.
Nico Pino Career Wins
Across his endurance racing career, Nico Pino has recorded multiple victories in prototype competition, including three consecutive European Le Mans Series wins in 2022. He has also added class podiums at major international events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Petit Le Mans.
European Le Mans Series Highlights
Pino has enjoyed his greatest success in the European Le Mans Series. In 2022, he won three successive races at Monza, Barcelona, and Spa with Inter Europol Competition, leading the team to a title charge before a late incident cost them the championship. The following season brought two Pro class podiums with Duqueine Team.
Other Wins and Performances
In the Asian Le Mans Series, Pino raced for Inter Europol Competition in 2022, finishing seventh overall in the championship. His IMSA appearances have included podium finishes at the Petit Le Mans, Daytona, and Road America, reinforcing his reputation as a versatile endurance driver.
Nico Pino Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited public information is available regarding Nico Pino’s family background. His upbringing in Santiago, Chile, and early introduction to karting at age eight suggest a family environment supportive of his motorsport ambitions, though specific details about parents or siblings have not been publicly verified.
Personal Life
Pino continues to split his racing commitments between Europe and North America as part of his role with Proton Competition. He maintains an active presence on social media, including Instagram, where he shares updates about his racing career.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Nico Pino continues his dual program in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Proton Competition, driving the No. 99 entry. His move to the German-based team reflects his growing profile within the endurance racing paddock.
Pino’s prior experience in LMGT3 machinery with United Autosports in 2024 provides a foundation for his current campaign. His continued participation in both WEC and IMSA allows him to compete across a varied calendar of endurance events on two continents.
With established performances at circuits such as Le Mans, Daytona, Spa, and Road America, Pino enters 2025 with momentum and the opportunity to contend for class podiums and race wins. His partnership with Proton Competition positions him within a competitive environment aimed at sustained success in international endurance racing.