A breakup and an economic crisis led him to enter the virtual motorsport race. Now, after a long journey and a family tragedy, he will make the leap to the American category.
Argentine motorsports added a new milestone to its long history after it was finally confirmed Agustín Canapino will officially race for Juncos Hollinger Racing in the United States IndyCar. So, the reef player will leave the Argentine categories and make the jump to one of the most popular in the North American country as the team’s official driveras confirmed today by Ricardo Juncos at an event at Paseo La Plaza. All, after a long journey in national motorsports. Learn more about Agustín Canapino and the race that deposited him in IndyCar.
As confirmed today, Canapino cHe will race in the number 78 and will partner Callum Illot. So, it will be first Argentine to run a full IndyCar season since Juan Manuel Fangio II, 25 years ago.
An isolation, the economic crisis and simulators: Canapino’s first contact with motorsport
For professional drivers, it is common for their first steps to be taken on karts. For Agustín Canapino, however, isolation and the situation in the country became simulators that allowed him to enter the world of motorsports.
“I can’t ride go-karts When I was little, my parents were getting divorced and the economic crisis didn’t give me the chance to run.. I don’t have the economic or family possibility to do this no matter how much I want to. And the only way to deliver this passion is in simulators“, explained in conversation with Clarionin 2018.
“I dedicated myself to that from a young age. It was my hobby, my passion, and without realizing it, all those years of studying simulators ended up giving me the base to get into a racing car and from that base began my travel. I took it for granted and tried to learn“, he added.
Those beginnings allowed him, in those years, signed a contract with the Williams Formula 1 team, to represent them in eSports competitions. “It’s driving me crazy, because I did it as a hobby and now it’s slowly turning into a profession without wanting it. This is how I contacted and then signed a contract with a Formula 1 team through what I was doing in my living room. If I won 80 championships in Argentina, I would never be in a Formula 1 team.. Now at least I have a contact, I can visit the factory, run the simulator and achieve many things that came to me thanks to this possibility.“, held.
Canapino and his first TC experience: “I was at Disney”
At 17 years old, a child Augustine Canapino comes from participation 27 races -six victories- of the Megane Cup. Those good performances piqued the interest of Edival RacingTC2000 team who want to add him as a guest of Mariano Altuna at 200 km. However, his lack of criminal record prevented the ACA CDA from qualifying him.
At that time, his father Alberto decided to give him the chance to try a TC, because Agustín was “down in spirit” because of the missed opportunity, as he said. Peter Viglietti a The Reason of Chivilcoy.
“This is the happiest day of my life so far. I fulfilled my big dream. This is the time when exams are free. We went a few days after the TC race there and Bosio took pole position. He managed 1m32s5 and I was over 1m33s0 by the end of the day. I’m at Disney, I can’t believe it“Canapino’s recollection of the dialogue with CT only.
From then on, Alberto Canapino started using his son as Pilot tests, as he got a chance to test his talent at TC Pista. “Being around my old man taught me a lot about data acquisition and on-board cameras“, hill.
His father’s death and his last request to him
On February 15, 2021, Alberto Canapino died after contracting the coronavirus. Since then, Augustine supervised the Squadra Canapino, his father’s team. “Here I have pictures of my father everywhere, everything reminds him. Sometimes the words don’t seem to come out to talk about it, but we must move on, no one else“, he maintains in the dialogue Clariona few months from that moment.
Six days after his father’s death, Canapino won the first race of the TC season at Roberto Mouras, in La Plata. That day, Agustín recounted, was not easy, as he recounted in May 2021: “I’m worth twice as much. I couldn’t believe that what happened to my dad was still real, because he was in his prime. For me it’s a horror movie every day. But it touched me, touched me. I have two alternatives: either stay depressed, depressed at home or put everything I need to promote it and continue it.. But yes, it costs me a lot and it seems incredible that my old man doesn’t“.
Despite the family tragedy, Canapino made it clear that it never crossed his mind not to run at the time or walk away from the profession. For him, Running is something he does in honor of his father:”The truth is that the other option is to continue being a pilot but find another place, another side. But it’s not what I want or what I would choose. First, because of my old man’s legacy and in addition, because there are many people here who have jobs and I didn’t want to leave them behind because of everything.. Even if it costs me a lot and takes me a lot of time, I feel the responsibility to do this for my father, for my brother and for the staff we have in the factory. I want everything to continue, even though I know it’s hard for me, it takes time and I have a lot to learn“.
IndyCar and the opportunity emerged from the hands of Juncos Hollinger Racing
By the end of 2022, Agustín Canapino received a once in a lifetime offer: to participate in a series of Sebring tests in an IndyCar from the Juncos Hollinger Racing team.. Without hesitation, the man from the reef traveled to Florida and participated in the event, which featured some well-known names both for the category and also for Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula E.
The Argentine’s balance in those tests it is more than positive. Although the lap times marked a difference of about a second and a half with respect to the fastest driver of the day (the experience Tom Blomqvist, IMSA champion, ex-F3, DTM, Formula E and GT3, among other categories), Canapino jumped on the track with simulator tests only.
Those tests in the simulator they have produced good resultsthat’s being Canapino he was eight tenths faster than Callum Illot, Ferrari Academy driver and owner of the Juncos Racing Team. Already on the circuit, the Argentine he was faster than Illot again in four different cornersAs reported carbureting.
In addition to this, teams with Honda machines tested that day they used the override button during the day -which adds about 60 extra HP-, something that is expressly agreed not to be used. the vehicles of Hollinger Racing is in a hurry (powered by Chevrolet engines) They did not use the extra power device throughout the day. For this reason, time differences with respect to other pilots must also be examined under that magnifying glass.
However, it was that performance that added to the good relationship with the Argentine Ricardo Juncos -director of the group in question- which Agustín Canapino was deposited in IndyCar. Now, this will be the reef, the owner of four titles in Road Tourism and two in TC2000The Titan, who must prove he is up to the challenge. Time will tell how the Argentine will race in the category, but that’s for sure He will leave everything to fulfill his dream.
The confirmation of Agustín Canapino as the official driver of Juncos Hollinger Racing
After noon in Argentina, Agustín Canapino confirmed from Paseo La Plaza -with Ricado Juncos connected via Zoom- that he will move to IndyCar starting in 2023. As he explained, the contract was initially for one season, but both parties hope the association will last.
“This is a great opportunity. I thank Ricardo Juncos, Brad Hollinger, the Circuito de Termas de Rio Hondo and all the sponsors who make this possible. I will do my best at all times to get the best results. I’m going to focus on learning and taking things step by step, but I’m also focused on improving throughout the season. The goal is to finish the races, get to know the car and the circuits, especially the ovals.“, the arreciefeño maintained in the press conference.
“IndyCar is the most competitive and difficult category in the world, the cars are very demanding and require maximum effort and preparation on my part.. I am excited to take on this challenge and motivated to do well and repay the trust placed in me this time.“, he added.
Juncos, for his part, is very happy to add Canapino to the team: “Being able to talk to it now is great news for me and the team. It’s been over 20 years since I got into North American motorsports and it’s been a long road of steady work where I’ve made some dreams come true. The ability to see this dream come true is amazing“.
Source: Tycsports
I am Mary James, a passionate journalist and content creator who enjoys writing about the world of sports. I specialize in covering racing-related news for athletistic, one of the top websites dedicated to this topic. With my expertise in motorsports, I have been able to write compelling stories that captivate readers all over the world.
