Ben Barnicoat

Last updated

Ben Barnicoat
IMSA Sebring 12H 2024 -i---i- (53910590410).jpg
Barnicoat driving the Lexus RC F GT3 during the 2024 12 Hours of Sebring
Born
Ben George Barnicoat

(1996-12-20) 20 December 1996 (age 28)
Nationality Flag of the United Kingdom.svg British
IMSA Sportscar Championship career
Debut season 2021
Current team Vasser Sullivan
Racing licence FIA Gold Driver.png FIA Gold (until 2021)
FIA Platinum Driver.png FIA Platinum (2022–) [1]
Car number14
Former teams Inception
Starts35
Championships1 (2023)
Wins7
Podiums19
Poles9
Fastest laps1
Best finish1st in 2023 (GTD Pro)
FIA World Endurance Championship career
Debut season 2022
Current team Vasser Sullivan
Car number78
Former teams Project 1
Starts7
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums2
Poles0
Fastest laps0
Best finish9th in 2022 (LMGTE Am)
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years 20212024
Teams Inception, Project 1, AF Corse
Best finish18th (2024)
Class wins1 (2024)
Previous series
Championship titles
Awards
2014 Autosport British Club Driver of the Year

Ben George Barnicoat (born 20 December 1996) is a British racing driver, who competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Vasser Sullivan and is set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Akkodis ASP; he serves as a factory driver for Lexus. In sportscar racing, Barnicoat won the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship in the GTD Pro class with Vasser Sullivan.

Contents

Born and raised in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Barnicoat began competitive kart racing aged nine. After a successful karting career—culminating in his victory at the direct-drive Karting European Championship in 2012—Barnicoat graduated to junior formulae. A member of the Racing Steps Foundation, he won his first title at the 2013 British Formula Renault Autumn Cup with Fortec. He further won the Formula Renault NEC in 2014, and the BRDC Formula 4 Autumn Trophy in 2015. Barnicoat transitioned to sportscar racing in 2017, contesting the Blancpain GT Series with Strakka.

Barnicoat took GT-class victories at the Gulf 12 Hours in 2021 and 2022, winning the latter Asian Le Mans Series. He then won the GTD Pro class of the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship, alongside Jack Hawksworth, and took a class victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring the following year. In LMP2, Barnicoat finished runner-up in the 2019–20 Asian Le Mans Series and later won the class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024 with AF Corse.

Career

Karting

Born in Chesterfield, Barnicoat began his racing career in karting at the age of nine. In 2007 he clinched the WTP Cadet Open and Motors TV Cadet Karting Championship titles as well as becoming WTP "Little Green Man" Vice Champion. [2] In 2008 he graduated to KF3 category in which he participated in the MSA Formula Kart Starts championship and Kartmasters GP. He did remarkably well in both, securing 4th in Formula Kart Stars and 7th at Kartmasters. Barnicoat returned the year after and won Kartmasters GP, Formula Kart Stars and finished Vice-Champion in the Super One Junior Championship. By 2012, Barnicoat had claimed the CIK-FIA KF2 European Championship too. In 2015 Barnicoat claimed the Kart Masters GP Trophy in both the Senior Rotax and Iame X30 class, becoming the first driver to take two Kart Masters Championships in one day. Barnicoat has since continued to compete in the Kart Masters event and is now the most successful driver with 9 titles to his name. Claiming Snr X30 in 2017/18/19 and snr rotax too in 2019. [3]

Formula Renault

In 2013 Barnicoat made his début in single-seaters, taking part in the Protyre Formula Renault Autumn Cup for Fortec Motorsports, and won the cup with two wins. [4]

Barnicoat continued his collaboration with Fortec into 2014, competing in the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC and Formula Renault 2.0 Alps series. [5]

European Formula 3

On 15 November 2015, it was announced that Barnicoat would race with Prema Powerteam for the 2016 season. However, it was later announced that Barnicoat would switch to race with HitechGP. [6]

Sportscar career

Barnicoat finished second at the 2023 Northeast Grand Prix. Lexus RC F GT3 (GTD Pro Class -14) (52228718530).jpg
Barnicoat finished second at the 2023 Northeast Grand Prix.

Barnicoat made the transition from single-seaters across into GT racing in 2017. The following six seasons have seen him compete - and win - on some of the biggest stages in motorsport. Appointed Factory Driver with McLaren a year later, Barnicoat took on the pivotal role in the development of the brand's latest range of GT racing cars. Barnicoat has also proven himself on the world stage with podium results at the Bathurst 12 Hour, Asian Le Mans Series, Intercontinental GT Challenge, GT World Challenge Europe, Pirelli World Challenge & the British GT Championship in both GT3 and GT4 classes, as well as back-to-back outright victories at the Gulf 12 Hours.

In 2019, Barnicoat also made his LMP2 debut with Thunderhead Carlin Motorsport, competing in the European Le Mans Series, and finishing as runner up in the Asian Le Mans Series with two victories during the season.

2022 saw Barnicoat appointed as Factory Driver with Lexus Racing USA and Vasser Sullivan Racing, contesting the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the Lexus RC F GT3. In his debut season, Barnicoat scored notable victories, including a podium at the season opening Dayton 24 Hours, and a season finale victory at Petit Le Mans, [7] en route to finishing 2nd in the championship. Alongside this impressive debut full season of US racing, Barnicoat also secured the Asian Le Mans Series GT3 title, he successfully defended his title at the Gulf 12 Hours with 2 Seas Motorsport, and campaigned at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for a second year.

2023 saw Ben return to the IMSA championship, delivering an impressive run of form. Nine podiums, including two victories, from the season's 11 rounds delivered a first GTD Pro championship title for Lexus Racing, Vasser Sullivan, and Ben only in his second year competing in the championship. He completed the year by taking part in the Official Rookie Test for the World Endurance Championship, testing the Toyota GR010 Hybrid Hypercar. [8]

He returned in 2024 to defend his IMSA title, taking victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring [9] and on the streets of Long Beach, [10] with an additional podium finish in Detroit. Alongside his GT3 efforts, Ben also secured LMP2 Pro Am victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and made his Super Formula debut in Japan with Itochu Enex Team IMPUL at Autopolis. [11]

FIA Formula 3 Championship

On 30 July 2020, Carlin Buzz Racing announced that Enaam Ahmed and his sponsors had separated from the team, and that Barnicoat would be replacing him at the team. [12] In four races, he scored one point - a 10th-place finish in the first race of Silverstone.

Other racing activities

On 20 November 2021, Barnicoat raced a BriSCA F1 Stock Car at Skegness Stadium. He won the Consolation event, which allowed qualification for the meeting Final event, in which he finished in second place.

Karting record

Karting career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamPosition
2006Kartmasters British GP - WTP Cadet4th
2007Kartmasters British GP - WTP Cadet10th
British Kart Championship - WTP Cadet2nd
2008 Super One Series - Comer Cadet3rd
BRDC Stars of Tomorrow - Cadet5th
Kartmasters British GP - WTP Cadet5th
2009ABkC 'O' Plate - KF3 16th
Kartmasters British GP - KF3 7th
Super One Series - KF3 16th
Formula Kart Stars - KF3 4th
2010 Super One Series - KF3 2nd
Formula Kart Stars - KF3 1st
Kartmasters British GP - KF31st
2011 FIA Karting Academy Trophy 2nd
Kartmasters British GP - KF3 1st
Super One Series - KF3 3rd
201217° South Garda Winter Cup - KF212th
WSK Euro Series - KF2ART Grand Prix4th
CIK-FIA European Championship KF21st
CIK-FIA U18 World Championship9th
Super One Series - KF21st
FIA Karting World Cup - KF26th
2013Kartmasters British GP - Rotax Senior28th
WSK Super Master Series - KF2nd
18° South Garda Winter Cup - KF211th
WSK Euro Series - KFART Grand Prix Srl3rd
CIK-FIA European Championship - KF13th
2015South Garda Winter Cup - KFBirel ART5th
CIK-FIA European Championship - KFBirel ART Srl24th
Kartmasters British GP - Rotax Senior1st
Kartmasters British GP - X30 Senior1st
2017SKUSA SuperNationals XXI - X30 SeniorFullerton USA2nd
Kartmasters British GP - X30 SeniorFullerton1st
2018Kartmasters British GP - X30 SeniorMick Barrett Racing1st
2019Kartmasters British GP - Rotax SeniorMick Barrett Racing1st
Kartmasters British GP - X30 Senior1st
IAME International Final - X30 Senior2nd

Racing record

Racing career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesFLapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2013 Protyre Formula Renault Autumn Cup Fortec Motorsports 32323961st
2014 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC Fortec Motorsports 1521152581st
Formula Renault 2.0 Alps 600003214th
Protyre Formula Renault Championship 300006013th
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 200000NC†
2015 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Fortec Motorsports 1732161744th
Formula Renault 2.0 Alps 610120NC†
BRDC Formula 4 Autumn Trophy 832562111st
2016 FIA Formula 3 European Championship Hitech GP 3020031349th
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup Belgian Audi Club Team WRT 100000NC
2017 Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup Strakka Racing 100020229th
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup 50010243rd
Intercontinental GT Challenge Tekno Autosports/McLaren GT 20000159th
Pirelli World Challenge - GT K-PAX Racing 10000314019th
SprintX GT Championship Series 700031407th
2018 British GT Championship - GT4 Track-Club510014313th
Balfe Motorsport/PMW Expo Racing 10000
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup Garage 59500011924th
Intercontinental GT Challenge 20000622nd
2019 European Le Mans Series - LMP2 Thunderhead Carlin Racing 50000325th
International GT Open Teo Martín Motorsport 20000043rd
International GT Open - Pro-Am 20000221st
2019–20 Asian Le Mans Series - LMP2 Thunderhead Carlin Racing 42214822nd
2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship Carlin Buzz Racing 40000122nd
Euroformula Open Championship Carlin Motorsport 211024113th
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Ema Group/Team 59Racing100000NC
Le Mans Cup - LMP3 Cool Racing 100001023rd
2020-21 Gulf 12 Hours 2 Seas Motorsport1111st
2021 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup Jota Sport 702101917th
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup 400001318th
Asian Le Mans Series - GT Inception Racing with Optimum Motorsport 40012454th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD 1000020963rd
2022 IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD Pro Vasser Sullivan Racing 10220632772nd
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD 1110138545th
Gulf 12 Hours 2 Seas Motorsport111st
FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGTE Am Team Project 1 60002559th*
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMGTE Am 10000N/ADNF
Asian Le Mans Series - GT Inception Racing 41133701st
2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD Pro Vasser Sullivan Racing 11241937601st
European Le Mans Series - LMP2 Pro-Am AF Corse 41004735th
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMP2 10000N/ADNF
British GT Championship - GT3 Inception Racing 100000NC†
Nürburgring Endurance Series - VT2-FWD Walkenhorst Motorsport100000NC†
2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD Pro Vasser Sullivan 10110228595th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD 1110138546th
Super Formula Itochu Enex Team Impul 10010023rd
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup Optimum Motorsport 100000NC
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMP2 AF Corse 11001N/A1st
2024–25 Asian Le Mans Series - GT 2 Seas Motorsport
2025 FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGT3 Akkodis ASP Team10000184th*
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD Pro Vasser Sullivan Racing 1000021612th*

As Barnicoat was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points. * Season still in progress.

Complete Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrant1234567891011121314151617DCPoints
2014 Fortec Motorsports MNZ
1

9
MNZ
2

4
SIL
1

6
SIL
2

18
HOC
1

2
HOC
2

1
HOC
3

6
SPA
1

2
SPA
2

5
ASS
1

2
ASS
2

Ret
MST
1

1
MST
2

7
MST
3

C
NÜR
1

4
NÜR
2

4
NÜR
3

C
1st258

Complete Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeam12345678910111213141516PosPoints
2014 Fortec Motorsports IMO
1

IMO
2

PAU
1

5
PAU
2

Ret
RBR
1

RBR
2

SPA
1

Ret
SPA
2

4
MNZ
1

5
MNZ
2

21
MUG
1

MUG
2

JER
1

JER
2

14th32
2015 Fortec Motorsports IMO
1

4
IMO
2

5
PAU
1

9
PAU
2

Ret
RBR
1

RBR
2

RBR
3

SPA
1

SPA
2

MNZ
1

MNZ
2

MNZ
3

MIS
1

MIS
2

JER
1

3
JER
2

1
NC†0

† As Barnicoat was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points

Complete Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrant1234567891011121314151617PosPoints
2014 Fortec Motorsports ALC
1
ALC
2
SPA
1
SPA
2
SIL
1
SIL
2
NÜR
1
NÜR
2
HUN
1
HUN
2
LEC
1
LEC
2
JER
1

Ret
JER
2

DNS
NC†0
2015 Fortec Motorsports ALC
1

2
ALC
2

5
ALC
3

Ret
SPA
1

25†
SPA
2

4
HUN
1

2
HUN
2

8
SIL
1

Ret
SIL
2

23†
SIL
3

13
NÜR
1

4
NÜR
2

1
LMS
1

1
LMS
2

5
JER
1

22
JER
2

3
JER
3

1
4th174

Complete FIA Formula 3 European Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantEngine123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930DCPts
2016 HitechGP Mercedes LEC
1

4
LEC
2

Ret
LEC
3

11
HUN
1

9
HUN
2

10
HUN
3

1
PAU
1

1
PAU
2

5
PAU
3

11
RBR
1

10
RBR
2

15
RBR
3

5
NOR
1

5
NOR
2

Ret
NOR
3

DSQ
ZAN
1

18
ZAN
2

8
ZAN
3

9
SPA
1

3
SPA
2

11
SPA
3

20
NÜR
1

9
NÜR
2

Ret
NÜR
3

10
IMO
1

8
IMO
2

Ret
IMO
3

13
HOC
1

18
HOC
2

9
HOC
3

7
9th134

Complete GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup results

YearTeamCarClass12345678910Pos.Points
2017 Strakka Racing McLaren 650S GT3 Pro MIS
QR

22
MIS
CR

18
BRH
QR

6
BRH
CR

10
ZOL
QR

10
ZOL
CR

28
HUN
QR

20
HUN
CR

24
NÜR
QR

Ret
NÜR
CR

25
29th2
2021 Jota Sport McLaren 720S GT3 Pro MAG
1

13
MAG
2

4
ZAN
1
ZAN
2
MIS
1

22
MIS
2

8
BRH
1

Ret
BRH
2

DNS
VAL
1

22†
VAL
2

4
17th19

Driver did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

Complete British GT Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeamCarClass123456789DCPoints
2018 Track-Club McLaren 570S GT4 GT4 OUL
1

14
OUL
2

18
ROC
1

28
SNE
1

16
SNE
2

Ret
SIL
1
SPA
1

DNS
BRH
1
13th43
Balfe Motorsport/PMW Expo Racing DON
1

Ret
2023 Inception Racing McLaren 720S GT3 Evo GT3 OUL
1
OUL
2
SIL
1

10
DON
1
SNE
1
SNE
2
ALG
1
BRH
1
DON
1
NC†0†

As Barnicoat was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points.

Complete European Le Mans Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassChassisEngine123456RankPoints
2019 Thunderhead Carlin Racing LMP2 Dallara P217 Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 LEC
11
MNZ
11
CAT
9
SIL
Ret
SPA
ALG
Ret
25th3
2023 AF Corse LMP2 Pro-Am Oreca 07 Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 CAT
2
LEC
3
ARA SPA ALG
3
ALG
1
5th73
Source: [13]

Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrant123456789101112131415161718DCPoints
2020 Carlin Buzz Racing RBR
FEA
RBR
SPR
RBR
FEA
RBR
SPR
HUN
FEA
HUN
SPR
SIL
FEA

20
SIL
SPR

12
SIL
FEA

10
SIL
SPR

Ret
CAT
FEA
CAT
SPR
SPA
FEA
SPA
SPR
MNZ
FEA
MNZ
SPR
MUG
FEA
MUG
SPR
22nd1

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

YearTeamCo-DriversCarClassLapsPos.Class
Pos.
2021 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Inception Racing Flag of the United States.svg Brendan Iribe
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ollie Millroy
Ferrari 488 GTE Evo GTE
Am
32741st12th
2022 Flag of Germany.svg Team Project 1 Flag of the United States.svg Brendan Iribe
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ollie Millroy
Porsche 911 RSR-19 GTE
Am
241DNFDNF
2023 Flag of Italy.svg AF Corse Flag of France.svg Norman Nato
Flag of France.svg François Perrodo
Oreca 07-Gibson LMP2183DNFDNF
LMP2 Pro-Am
2024 Flag of Italy.svg AF Corse Flag of France.svg François Perrodo
Flag of Argentina.svg Nicolás Varrone
Oreca 07-Gibson LMP229718th4th
LMP2 Pro-Am1st
Source: [13]

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassMakeEngine123456789101112RankPoints
2021 Inception Racing with
Optimum Motorsport
GTD McLaren 720S GT3 McLaren M840T 4.0L Turbo V8 DAY SEB MDO DET WGL WGL LIM
ELK LGA LBH VIR PET
12
63rd209
2022 VasserSullivan GTD Pro Lexus RC F GT3 Toyota 2UR 5.0 L V8 DAY
4
SEB
7
LBH
2
LGA
2
WGL
4
MOS
6
LIM
3
ELK
1
VIR
3
PET
1
2nd3277
GTD MDO DET
1
45th385
2023 Vasser Sullivan Racing GTD Pro Lexus RC F GT3 Toyota 2UR 5.0 L V8 DAY
3
SEB
2
LBH
1
LGA
2
WGL
1
MOS
4
LIM
2
ELK
2
VIR
2
IMS
3
PET
8
1st3760
2024 Vasser Sullivan GTD Pro Lexus RC F GT3 Toyota 2UR 5.0 L V8 DAY
11
SEB
1
LGA
4
DET
2
WGL
4
MOS
9
ELK
9
VIR
6
IMS
4
PET
13
5th2859
GTD LBH
1
46th385
2025 Vasser Sullivan Racing GTD Pro Lexus RC F GT3 Toyota 2UR-GSE 5.0 L V8 DAY
11
SEB
LGA
DET
WGL
MOS
ELK
VIR
IMS
PET
12th*216*
Source: [13]

* Season still in progress.

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassCarEngine12345678RankPoints
2022 Team Project 1 LMGTE Am Porsche 911 RSR-19 Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6 SEB
3
SPA
Ret
LMS
Ret
MNZ
10
FUJ
8
BHR
2
9th55
2025 Akkodis ASP TeamLMGT3 Lexus RC F GT3 Lexus 2UR-GSE 5.0 L V8 QAT
4
IMO
SPA
LMS
SÃO
COA
FUJ
BHR
4th*18*
Source: [13]

* Season still in progress.

Complete Super Formula results

YearTeamEngine123456789DCPoints
2024 Itochu Enex Team Impul Toyota SUZ AUT
13
SUG FUJ MOT FUJ FUJ SUZ SUZ 23rd0

References

  1. Goodwin, Graham (10 November 2021). "Updated 2022 Provisional FIA Driver Rankings Published". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  2. "Profile". benbarnicoat.com. Ben Barnicoat. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  3. "CIK-FIA European KF2 Championship 2012 standings". driverdb.com. Driver Database. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  4. "Protyre Formula Renault Championship — Autumn Cup 2013 standings". driverdb.com. Driver Database. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  5. Goddard, Stephen (6 December 2013). "Barnicoat steps up to Formula Renault 2.0 NEC with Fortec". Paddock Scout. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  6. Simmons, Marcus (14 January 2016). "Ben Barnicoat seals Hitech European Formula 3 Championship deal". Autosport. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  7. "Ben Barnicoat win Petit Le Mans in rookie IMSA season". benbarnicoat.com. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  8. "British racers join Toyota Gazoo Racing for Hypercar rookie test". Toyota UK Media Site. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  9. "Golden result for Ben Barnicoat at Sebring 12 Hours". benbarnicoat.com. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  10. "Back-to-back victories on the Long Beach streets for Ben Barnicoat". benbarnicoat.com. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  11. "Fastest lap underlines a strong Super Formula debut performance". benbarnicoat.com. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  12. "Ben Barnicoat joins Carlin Buzz Racing for Round 4 at Silverstone". Formula 3 . FIA Formula 3 Championship Limited. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Ben Barnicoat Results". motorsportstats.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Seb Morris
(Winter Series)
Protyre Formula Renault Autumn Cup
Champion

2013
Succeeded by
None
(Series ended)
Preceded by Formula Renault 2.0 NEC
Champion

2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Will Palmer
(Winter Series)
BRDC Formula 4 Autumn Trophy
Champion

2015
Succeeded by
Enaam Ahmed
(BRDC British Formula 3)
Preceded by
Ralf Bohn
Alfred Renauer
Robert Renauer
Asian Le Mans Series
GT Champion

2022
With: Brendan Iribe & Ollie Millroy
Succeeded by
Preceded by IMSA SportsCar Championship
GTD Pro Champion

2023
With: Jack Hawksworth
Succeeded by
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Autosport Awards
British Club Driver of the Year

2014
Succeeded by