SEBRING, Fla. — Young American racer Josh Pierson made history at the 1000 Miles of Sebring race last week by becoming the youngest-ever winner in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Pierson teamed with ex-Formula 1 racer Paul di Resta and 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner Oliver Jarvis to win the LMP2 class in the 1000 Miles of Sebring, which marked the opening round of the FIA WEC sports car series.
16-year-old Pierson is contesting in both the FIA WEC with United Autosports and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports.
Last weekend, Pierson raced the eight-hour WEC event and then backed it up by contesting the 12 Hours of Sebring with Jonathan Bomarito and Steven Thomas.
The victory at Sebring Int’l Raceway was the third in a row for Pierson and United Autosports. He and di Resta also won the final two rounds of this year’s Asian Le Mans Series in Abu Dhabi in February.
“My main goal as the silver-rated driver is to be faster than the other silver-rated drivers in the other cars. The great thing about sports car racing is I get to team up with some massively experienced platinum-rated drivers who have been incredibly helpful for me,” Pierson said.
His time racing with di Resta and Jarvis has contributed to his learning experience on the track, which will no doubt progress when Pierson joins up with Alex Lynn for the remainder of the season.
Pierson raced both the FIA WEC 1000 Miles of Sebring and the IMSA Twelve Hours of Sebring last weekend. (Josh Pierson Racing photo)
“We’re all driving the same car and I get to analyze their data, and the guys have been very helpful in teaching me what I did wrong or what I can do better,” Pierson said.
While it’s an opportunity full of challenges, Pierson also realizes that his main competition are the other silver-rated drivers in the class. Every car is required to incorporate one silver as a part of their lineup.
When he’s not at the track, Pierson spends his time as most other normal teenagers would — he plays video games with his friends to unwind, loves snowboarding in the wintertime and keeps up on schoolwork and working out in the gym on a regular basis.
Most of his friends are not native to the realm of motorsports and are unable to fully comprehend the scope of what Pierson has accomplished in his career.
Regardless, his friends and family remain his biggest supporters.
“It is gratifying for me because doing the best I can is really the only way to repay them for what they’ve done,” Pierson said, referring to his family. He first drove a kid kart when he was two years old, but his earliest recollection of racing was his first national race in Arizona when he was seven years old.
Growing up, Pierson recalls watching the Indy 500 and various single-seater open-wheel racing events at home.
“I watched a lot of Formula 1 races with my dad, and I really fell in love with the sport,” Pierson says. He’s got his eye on the 2008 McLaren that Lewis Hamilton won his first championship in as his favorite F1 car of all time.
It’s been a long journey from watching racing on TV to reaching the spot in his career where he’s at now, but he’s brought his family with him every step of the way.
“That drive to win is what keeps everyone coming back,” Pierson said.
Coming into the season, the United Autosports team wasn’t expecting Pierson to claim three LMP2 victories in a row. The focus was on being competitive and keeping consistency throughout the season.
After finishing the eight-hour FIA WEC race and the IMSA Twelve Hours of Sebring, Pierson is grateful to be putting the most challenging races of the year behind him.
“It was pretty demanding, but as a driver, I am used to that,” Pierson said. “Physically driving the cars wasn’t too tough, but it was about dealing with the heat — it was just really hot in the cars.”
The Florida weather demanded that the drivers stay hydrated in order to combat the heat and rapid water loss that came along with it. The conditions were mentally and physically draining for Pierson as he ran back and forth between the two paddocks at Sebring.
Competing in both championships requires Pierson to adapt quickly between the two LMP2 cars — as quick as a drive down pit lane.
The 16-year-old has now had three consecutive victories in the FIA WEC with United Autosports. (Josh Pierson Racing photo)
“It wasn’t too difficult to adapt. The IMSA car has more downforce and more grip from the tire. I could roll through the high-speed corners quick, and I could brake later with that extra downforce,” Pierson said.
The key was remembering those differences when returning to the driver’s seat of the FIA WEC car. With a championship class that boasts more cars than IMSA, Pierson views the competition in the LMP2 class of the WEC as significantly tougher.
To prepare for a track, Pierson typically does some work on the iRacing platform, which simulates the track experience. However, the youngster has already spent lots of time testing at Sebring during his Road to Indy career.
“It’s a track that has a bit of everything,” Pierson said. “It’s got some high-speed corners that challenge me to commit as a driver. It’s got some passing opportunities – it’s a great place to race.”
The next WEC race on his schedule will take him to a new track where he won’t be able to rely on familiarity and past racing experiences. The Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium is one that Pierson is looking forward to driving “for real,” as he has only virtually raced around the track to prepare.
Pierson is also biding his time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, where he’ll get his first chance to race on the iconic track.
“It is one of the biggest races in the world, and the track is just beautiful. It’s nearly 8.5 miles around and just an amazing venue with it being half regular track and half a street circuit that goes blasting through the French countryside,” Pierson said.
The young driver will be the youngest-ever competitor to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Keyword: Pierson Becomes Youngest Winner In FIA WEC History