Pipo Derani has praised his new full-season partner Tristan Nunez, saying the two ‘work well together’.
Nunez, a former Mazda DPi driver, signed with Action Express Racing to replace Felipe Nasr. The Brazilian ex-F1 racer was signed to a role within Porsche’s LMDh factory programme and will contest the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the GTD Pro class instead.
With the signing, Nunez joins one of the top squads in the DPi category. In 2021, the duo of Derani and Nasr won three races en route to the DPi title, meaning the native of Boynton Beach, Florida has big shoes to fill.
Despite the partnership between Nunez and reigning champion Derani being in the early stages (the two have so far only contested the 100-minute qualifying race together), Derani stated that he already thinks he will form a strong partnership with his new team-mate.
“With Tristan coming into the team, he’s going to learn over the next two-three races as he gets used to the team how things are going to fall into place and how things are going to work,” Derani said. “Between me and him, our relationship has been great and I think we’re going to complement each other really well.”
“I come from three years partnership with Felipe (Nasr) and coming into a new season with a guy you already know is easier, but not in a way that will make things so difficult for Tristan. He picks things up really quick and we’ve been working really well together.”
“It will be interesting because in this sport it is important you have camaraderie between yourself, the team and the other driver because you have to give up so much for the greater benefit of the team. When you have a good relationship with your teammate, that only helps.”
The move to Cadillac DPi machinery marks a new chapter in the career of the 26-year-old Nunez. In 2014, he was signed to Mazda’s factory roster and raced there until it was downgraded to a one-car effort after 2020. After the Mazda effort often struggled in the early years, he finally took a first win in the summer of 2019.
After leaving Mazda at the end of 2020, he found a temporary new home with the WIN Autosport LMP2 squad. Alongside Steven Thomas, he took a second career win in the Watkins Glen Six Hours.
Now, with a seat back at the DPi table and with one of the strongest teams in the class’ history, Nunez is looking ahead to this weekend’s Rolex 24 where he and Derani will be joined by Le Mans winner and reigning world champion Mike Conway.
“Pipo and I have been working well together right from the start. Action Express is a strong team that is committed to going for the win,” he said. “I’m confident going into the 24 hours that I have a good feeling for the Whelen Cadillac.
The qualifying race gave me valuable experience in traffic in the car and the overall race craft of the car. We have a good team, good drivers and I am looking forward to getting to race day and go for the win.”
