Barnicoat Has “Faith” Akkodis ASP Can Make Step Forward

Ben Barnicoat says he has “a lot of faith” that Akkodis ASP will be able to make a step forward in its second season of FIA World Endurance Championship competition with the Lexus RC F GT3, as he joins the lineup for the No. 78 car.

Lexus IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship regular Barnicoat is taking on a double program with the Toyota-owned brand this year, as he replaces Kelvin van der Linde as one of the two pro drivers across the pair of LMGT3 Lexus entries.

The British driver said that adding a season with ASP to his existing commitments with Vasser Sullivan was attractive, allowing him to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and isn’t fazed by the team’s difficult 2024 campaign.

“When Toyota presented the opportunity to me, it was something I was really keen to do,” Barnicoat told Sportscar365. “It’s more racing, which is always what you want, including Le Mans, and in the Lexus, so it ticked every box.

“Yes, they had a slightly tough year last year, but I have a lot of faith and belief in the team. They are very good at what they do, so I am looking forward to hopefully taking a step forward this year.

“Le Mans is a track that really suits the car, so it would be nice to reach a point where we have a good foundation and everyone is working well and everything is ticking over before we go there.”

ASP enjoyed a positive Prologue test last week, topping the first day courtesy of Jose Maria Lopez in the No. 87 car, and ending up with both of its cars inside the top six of the LMGT3 class across the two days of running.

“It would be great if we can start the year with points, but for sure podiums are the goal [later in the season],” added Barnicoat on his targets for the year.

“It’s hard to say that looking at last year, and the car is older than the competition, but I know what the car can do in IMSA and I believe in the team and the crew.”

Barnicoat joined ASP for last year’s Bahrain rookie test, a precursor to him joining the team full-time this season, and said he was pleasantly surprised by the level at which the Jerome Policand-led squad was operating without his input.

“I must admit when I stepped in the car in Bahrain, I was surprised how good of a group they have,” said Barnicoat when asked if he expected to guide the team.

“From the outside it might look like they haven’t got a good read on the car, but when I drove it for the first time I was really impressed. The car was in the window.

“I want to focus on going what we can at the best level possible and the results should take care of themselves.”

Barnicoat has previously made his desire to eventually step up to a Toyota Hypercar seat clear, having first driven the GR010 Hybrid in the 2023 rookie test, and admits that returning to the WEC puts him one step closer to his target.

“I have been clear, and I think it’s good for everyone to have dreams and aspirations,” he said. “It is a great place to be and to learn the championship.

“I did it in 2022 with Project 1, but it’s a new era now with the LMGT3 platform. You always want to be at the highest level, and to be part of WEC and IMSA during this golden era is an incredible opportunity, so I couldn’t ask for a lot more.”

Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe technical director David Floury said it is “very likely” that Esteban Masson is set to replace Barnicoat for the two rounds of the WEC he will miss, Spa and Sao Paulo, due to clashes with his IMSA program.

Masson served as one of ASP’s two Silver-rated drivers last year, but has been promoted to Gold status for the new campaign, and is set to contest dual campaigns with Toyota backing in the European Le Mans Series and Super Formula Lights.