Nick Cassidy says his transfer to the World Endurance Championship has been eased by easier hypercar methods, which he claims is “like a little bit of a vacation” in comparison with Components E equipment.
Cassidy will mix his Citroen Components E commitments with a full marketing campaign within the WEC’s high class on the manufacturing facility Peugeot crew in 2026.
It can mark simply the second season within the WEC for the Kiwi, who beforehand raced a Ferrari 488 GTE for AF Corse within the closing 12 months of the GTE Am class in 2022.
Fashionable LMH and LMDh prototypes stay advanced in their very own proper, that includes hybrid methods that pair an electrical motor with an inner combustion engine.
However for Cassidy, studying hypercar software program has been comparatively easy after 5 seasons in Components E, the place drivers always handle vitality, regeneration and a variety of system settings.
“I am simply going to develop in confidence on a regular basis, and I hope that I am simply going to proceed enhancing. However I’m proud of my preliminary stage,” he mentioned following his second take a look at with the Peugeot 9X8 in Bahrain.
“By way of the complexities and methods, it is most likely 30% now of what we’ve in Components E. So it is nearly like a little bit of a vacation for me by way of methods.”
Nick Cassidy, Citroen Racing
Photograph by: Beto Issa / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Cassidy arrives within the WEC with intensive expertise in each single-seaters and high-downforce sportscars.
Throughout the second half of the 2010s, he raced in Japan’s two largest classes, profitable titles in each Tremendous Components and Tremendous GT’s GT500 class earlier than switching to Components E in 2021.
Whereas the WEC’s high class as soon as featured the quickest prototypes on this planet, current-generation hypercars are notably slower than the LMP1 machines they changed.
Requested to match hypercars with the GT500s he raced prior to now, Cassidy mentioned: “I believe the precise manoeuvring by way of visitors or the lap time distinction to GT3 is analogous. I hope that is going to make the difference for [multi-class] racing simpler. I am fairly comfy with that.
“The mechanical grip, the tyre grip and the downforce stage is simply rather a lot decrease in hypercars. As a driver, you do not have the sensation you might be attacking the automotive. You are nearly driving on eggshells.”
He added: “I have been very shocked by the shortage of grip in hypercars lately, and the shortage of downforce efficiency.
“Should you have a look at hypercars now, to not sound unfavourable, however in comparison with what I used to be used to in Tremendous GT or Tremendous Components, it is a totally different world.
“It is nearly extra in keeping with Components E than the difference I’ve completed prior to now [when I first moved to Formula E after racing in Japan]. It helps me to have two classes which can be comparable.”
Cassidy faces a packed schedule in 2026 as he balances his new WEC programme with one other season in Components E. He’s additionally adjusting to a brand new setting within the all-electric collection after leaving Jaguar to affix Citroen, which beforehand competed beneath the Maserati banner.
Components E commitments will occupy much more of his time because the 12 months progresses, with producers already beginning to shift assets to Gen4 powertrain improvement.
The 31-year-old admitted time isn’t on his facet as he prepares for 2026, however credited Peugeot for serving to him stability the 2 championships.
“I am blown away [by Peugeot]. They have been tremendous nice to work with, tremendous type by way of understanding my schedule. Doing their finest to combine me with the just about restricted time I’ve.
“I am attempting in the intervening time to offer full focus to 2 applications. However it’s true, with Gen 4 coming in Components E, with the present season in Components E, and making that transfer throughout, that is been extraordinarily busy. And clearly with WEC as effectively to combine.
“I am brief on time, by way of days I can spend on simulators, in conferences and issues. However I am [working] 5 days every week throughout all applications for the final two-and-a-half months simply to ensure I might be ready for each championships.”
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