Felipe Nasr will take his first laps around Daytona International Speedway this week in testing for January's 50th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Nasr comfortably won the British Formula 3 Championship – wrapping up the title with six races remaining and with it won the Sunoco Rolex 24 at Daytona Challenge, which offered a Daytona Prototype drive in the famous 24 race at the Florida speedway.
The Brazilian will test a Porsche/Riley DP run by Action Express Racing – overall winners of the race in 2010. However, ahead of the test he was given a passenger car ride with Rolex Series regular (and countryman) Ozz Negri.
The experience was enough to wept Nasr's appetite for the challenge ahead.
“I have no words to describe,” said the 19-year-old. “It's amazing. It's something completely different that you can't find in Europe or Brazil.”
“When I was a kid, I was always playing video games on this track and now I'm here. It's a big change. Tomorrow will be my first experience here and I'm really looking forward to it.”
“I know the circuit is such a famous one. If you look around, you can see it's definitely got some history and I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy [this test].”
“Felipe is probably one of the most talented up-and-coming Brazilian drivers,” said Negri, who competed in British Formula 3 in the late 80s. “To win the British Formula 3 championship, not just anyone can do that. He's proved to be special by winning the championship. He's going to have a great time here. It's one of the best places to be. The DP [Daytona Prototype] car is great fun to drive. I'll help him as much as I can so he will have the best experience here at Daytona.”