March 12 2024 / News
WEC: Brazilian Porsche Carrera Cup champion Nicolas Costa joins the McLaren team in partnership with United Autosports
The driver continues to count on support and a career boost provided by PRIO, the largest independent oil and gas company in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, February 9th – After becoming Brazilian champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup with a season that attracted plenty of attention in 2023, Nicolas Costa will be part of the McLaren team in the new season of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) sanctioned by the International Automobile Federation (FIA). Sponsored by PRIO since 2021, Nicolas is now preparing to face the eight-round series of the international championship.
The 31-year-old Brazilian will join forces with Switzerland’s Gregoire Saucy and Britain’s James Cottingham in the World Championship – completing the line-up of the #59 McLaren 720S GT3 EVO by McLaren Automotive and United Autosports.
After achieving seven victories in twelve races in the Porsche Carrera Cup, stepping onto four more podiums, missing out on just one race throughout the season, Nicolas spotlights this new challenge: “I’m very excited about what’s about to happen. It’s a dream come true to race for McLaren Automotive and United Autosports. Being part of this partnership is an honor,” comments Costa.
This new stage in the driver’s life takes place as he completes the fourth year of his partnership with PRIO. “We are pleased to announce that we will continue to support Nicolas’ career,” states Olivia Richardson, Head of Marketing & Communications at PRIO. “He is a focused, efficient, and results-oriented athlete, with lots of synergy with the culture and values of PRIO, as well as United Autosports and McLaren Automotive, which also have efficiency and technology at their core. We will have many victories ahead.”
The 2024 calendar includes a race at home for Costa and PRIO, at the “6 Hours of São Paulo” in July 2024 – marking WEC Championship first return to Brazil since 2014. “I’m really looking forward to this year,” says Costa. “Driving such a good car and competing at world championship level in Brazil, in addition to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is something I have always dreamed of,” he concludes.
“Nicolas had a fantastic season in 2023, dominating the Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil and clearly demonstrating his GT3 capabilities,” said Richard Dean, CEO of United Autosports. “Together with FIA Formula 3 podium finisher Gregoire Saucy and British GT runner-up James Cottingham, #59 will be an exciting entry into an extremely competitive grid in 2024.”