NICO VARRONE JOINS FORMULA 2 FOR A FIRST YEAR IN SINGLE SEATERS SINCE 2020: WHO IS HE?
Nicolás Varrone, born in 2000 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is one of motorsport’s most promising young talents outside the F1 feeder series. Known for his versatility and perseverance, Varrone has gone from battling budget struggles in junior single-seaters to winning at Le Mans, and now, he’s setting his sights on Formula 1.
Early Career and Rise Through the Ranks
Varrone’s journey began, like many drivers, in karting. His raw speed and determination quickly caught attention, leading him to make the leap from Argentine single-seaters to Europe’s competitive junior categories. He competed in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship between 2019 and 2020, securing a memorable victory at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. However, as is often the case in motorsport, financial limitations forced him to pause his single-seater ambitions.
Reflecting on those early challenges, Varrone shared:
“My dad always told me, ‘If you start making excuses, we stop,’ because we never had the money to do testing or anything. … I always have to be on pole, I always have to win.”
— Nico Varrone, Racer.com interview
From Formula to Endurance: A Path to Global Success
Switching to sports cars proved to be a defining moment in Varrone’s career. Competing in various GT and endurance championships like the European Le Mans Series, he quickly established himself as a top performer. In 2023, he made history by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMGTE Am class with Corvette Racing. That same year, he became the FIA World Endurance Champion in the LMGTE Am category, a stunning achievement for such a young driver. When asked about joining the Corvette factory lineup, Nico said:
“First of all, this will be one of my best experiences ever. To be joining Corvette Racing is a dream for me to be part of a factory team.”
— Varrone on his move to Corvette Racing
His momentum didn’t stop there. In 2024, Varrone triumphed again at Le Mans, this time in the LMP2 Pro-Am category with AF Corse, further solidifying his reputation as one of endurance racing’s brightest stars. These performances earned him the coveted status of factory driver for Corvette Racing, where he continues to compete in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
Reflecting on his journey from obscurity to the top of endurance racing, he put it simply:
“I don’t have a dream, I’m living a dream.”
— Nico Varrone, Endurance-Info interview
The Dream: A Return to Single-Seaters and Formula 1
Despite his endurance success, Nico’s heart has never left single-seaters. His ultimate dream remains clear, to race in Formula 1.
Over the past year, he’s taken concrete steps toward making that dream a reality. In late 2024, a viral Argentine social-media campaign, #NicoVarroneaF1, helped him secure an F2 test in Abu Dhabi with AIX Racing.
“It all started as a crazy idea on social media,” Varrone laughed in a recent interview. “Suddenly I had sponsors calling, fans pushing, and then I got the test. It showed me that people really believe in my F1 dream.”
He followed that up in May 2025 with another test in Aragón, this time with Van Amersfoort Racing, driving an old gen F2 car.
The Road Ahead: Formula 2 and Beyond
Varrone’s next challenge is a full-time F2 campagin in 2026 with Van Ammersfoort Racing. The F2 campaign would not only allow him to prove himself in single-seaters again but also help him collect the crucial FIA Super Licence points required to qualify for Formula 1.
In an interview about his way back to single-seater racing he stated:
“I know the challenge is huge but I’ve already shown I can win at the top level. Now I just need the opportunity to do it in single-seaters again.”
Why Nico Varrone’s Story Matters
Varrone’s career is more than a list of results, it’s a story of resilience, talent, and the will to adapt. From the financial setbacks that ended his first Regional F3 run to the global success of winning Le Mans, his journey reflects the inspiring path many drivers face.
Now, as he eyes Formula 2 and ultimately Formula 1, Nico Varrone represents the next great hope for Argentine motorsport, a driver who’s already proven that determination can carry you from the podiums of Le Mans to the steps towards F1.
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