After excelling in Endurance and establishing himself in Formula 2, the Buenos Aires native will have his last chance in 2026 to fulfill his dream of racing in the top category
In a world where the "ladder" to F1 is strictly defined—F4, F3, F2, and only then the top tier—Varrone represents a rarity: a driver returning from Endurance, as Michael Schumacher did before debuting in Belgium in 1991. "We're here to break the mold. I'm going to race against guys who've been competing in Formula their whole lives, but that really motivates me."
Nicolás Varrone, the 24-year-old Argentine driver born in Ingeniero Maschwitz, is perhaps experiencing the most decisive moment of his career. Having confirmed his entry into Formula 2 with the Van Amersfoort Racing team, the same one where Max Verstappen made his Formula 3 debut, the Buenos Aires native is preparing for what he himself defines as "his last bullet" in pursuit of the dream that has driven him since childhood: reaching Formula 1.
"We've been working toward this for over a year. It's a very important change, but I like challenges and I'm very happy," said the Buenos Aires driver in an interview with Infobae, who in 2023 was crowned world champion in the LMGTE Am class of the WEC (World Endurance Championship), with an official Corvette from General Motors. That magical year included victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans. However, Varrone knows that now the challenge is different: moving from Endurance, where he established himself, to a category of pure speed and contact, where everyone races with the same car and only perfection makes the difference.
His arrival in F2 is no coincidence. The entry of Cadillac, a brand belonging to General Motors, into Formula 1 for the next season opened a window of opportunity. The American manufacturer asked him to compete in F2 so they could evaluate him more closely. "They made the contract much easier for me so I could do it, and they want to see me in F2. That shows the relationship we have," explains Varrone, who still has commitments with the Proton Competition team in the Hypercar class of the WEC.
But Varrone is not deceived: 2026 will be the key year. "It's the last bullet I have," he states bluntly. "Because of the budget, because of what F2 will be. Also because of the age factor, which is starting to play an important role. But I like feeling that I come from a different ladder and I'm here to shake up the system a bit."
The challenge, however, will not be easy. Van Amersfoort Racing is currently in a modest position on the grid. "It's true that they're not at their best right now, but when I did two days of testing I realized that it's a top-level team. I have no doubt that the team has everything it takes to shine," he says optimistically. In a few days, he will travel to the Netherlands to visit the team's base, do simulator work, and adapt to the seat, before the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi, from December 10 to 12.
Meanwhile, the Argentine knows that he will be under the scrutiny of General Motors and that, if his performance supports it, the doors to the Cadillac F1 team could open in the future. "It's my last bullet and I'm focused on performing. I don't think about any other driver because otherwise I lose focus," he clarifies.
On the eve of a year that could change his life, Nicolás Varrone says goodbye to Argentina before flying to Europe. His story, marked by resilience, effort, and talent, is an exception in times of closed structures. The last bullet is loaded, and the dream of Formula 1 is once again in sight.
