Jump to content

Ben Barnicoat

From Alfawiki
Ben Barnicoat
Born (1996-12-20) December 20, 1996 (age 29)
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
OccupationRacing driver
Years active2013–present
Known for2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship GTD Pro champion with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus factory driver

Ben George Barnicoat (born 20 December 1996) is a British racing driver actively competing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Vasser Sullivan and the FIA World Endurance Championship representing Akkodis ASP. As a factory driver for Lexus, he secured the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship title in the GTD Pro category alongside Vasser Sullivan.

Originating from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Barnicoat embarked on his competitive karting journey at the age of nine. Following his triumph in the 2012 direct-drive Karting European Championship, he advanced into junior formula racing. Backed by the Racing Steps Foundation, he clinched championships including the 2013 British Formula Renault Autumn Cup with Fortec, the 2014 Formula Renault NEC, and the 2015 BRDC Formula 4 Autumn Trophy. His switch to sportscar racing came in 2017 when he competed in the Blancpain GT Series with Strakka.

Barnicoat achieved GT-class victories at both the 2021 and 2022 editions of the Gulf 12 Hours, securing the latter alongside the Asian Le Mans Series. He captured the GTD Pro division of the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship with teammate Jack Hawksworth and earned a class win at the 2024 12 Hours of Sebring. In LMP2 competition, he was runner-up in the 2019–20 Asian Le Mans Series and attained a class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans driving for AF Corse.

Karting

Hailing from Chesterfield, Barnicoat initiated his karting career at nine years old. During 2007, he secured titles in both the WTP Cadet Open and Motors TV Cadet Karting Championships, additionally finishing as WTP "Little Green Man" Vice Champion. Progressing to KF3 in 2008, he placed fourth in Formula Kart Stars and seventh at Kartmasters GP. The subsequent year, he claimed victories at Kartmasters GP and Formula Kart Stars, while finishing runner-up in the Super One Junior Championship. By 2012, Barnicoat had won the CIK-FIA KF2 European Championship. In 2015, he made history by winning both Senior Rotax and Iame X30 classes at Kart Masters GP Trophy on the same day—the first driver to do so. His record includes nine Kart Masters titles overall, encompassing Senior X30 (2017–19) and Senior Rotax (2019), making him the most decorated competitor in Kart Masters history.

Formula Renault

Barnicoat entered single-seater racing in 2013, capturing the Protyre Formula Renault Autumn Cup title with Fortec Motorsport through two race wins. He remained with Fortec during 2014, competing across both the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC and Formula Renault 2.0 Alps championships.

European Formula 3

In November 2015, it was announced that Barnicoat would join Prema Powerteam for the 2016 European Formula 3 season; however, he later transferred to compete with HitechGP.

Sportscar career

Making a transition from single-seaters to GT racing in 2017, Barnicoat rapidly established himself within prominent motorsport arenas. Named a Factory Driver for McLaren in 2018, he contributed significantly to developing their latest GT race cars. His achievements include podium finishes at events such as the Bathurst 12 Hour, Asian Le Mans Series, Intercontinental GT Challenge, GT World Challenge Europe, Pirelli World Challenge, and British GT Championship across both GT3 and GT4 classes—highlighted by consecutive overall victories at the Gulf 12 Hours.

In 2019, Barnicoat debuted in LMP2 competition with Thunderhead-backed Carlin Motorsport during the European Le Mans Series and finished second overall in the Asian Le Mans Series with two wins.

By 2022, he had become a Factory Driver for Lexus Racing USA and joined Vasser Sullivan Racing, contesting IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events piloting the Lexus RC F GT3. Key moments included a podium result at the Daytona 24 Hours and a season-ending victory at Petit Le Mans, culminating in a runner-up finish in the championship standings. Additionally, he won the Asian Le Mans Series GT3 title, successfully defended his Gulf 12 Hours crown with 2 Seas Motorsport, and competed again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Returning to IMSA competition in 2023, Barnicoat delivered nine podiums and two wins over eleven races to secure the GTD Pro championship—marking Lexus Racing and Vasser Sullivan’s inaugural title—with only his sophomore year in this series. He concluded that season by participating in the Official Rookie Test for the World Endurance Championship behind the wheel of a Toyota GR010 Hybrid Hypercar.

Starting his 2024 campaign defending his IMSA crown, Barnicoat achieved victories at both the 12 Hours of Sebring and Long Beach street circuit along with a podium finish in Detroit. Simultaneously, he earned an LMP2 Pro Am class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and debuted in Japan’s Super Formula series driving for Itochu Enex Team IMPUL at Autopolis.

FIA Formula 3 Championship

On 30 July 2020, Carlin Buzz Racing confirmed that Enaam Ahmed and his sponsors would be leaving the team, with Ben Barnicoat stepping in as his replacement. Barnicoat managed to earn a single point across four races, securing 10th place in the opening Silverstone race.

Other racing activities

On 20 November 2021, Barnicoat took part in a BriSCA F1 Stock Car competition held at Skegness Stadium, where he triumphed in the Consolation race and achieved second place in the Final.

Karting career summary

Season Series Team Position
2006 Kartmasters British GP - WTP Cadet 4th
2007 Kartmasters British GP - WTP Cadet 10th
British Kart Championship - WTP Cadet 2nd
2008 Super One Series - Comer Cadet 3rd
BRDC Stars of Tomorrow - Cadet 5th
Kartmasters British GP - WTP Cadet 5th
2009 ABkC '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 - KF3 1st
2011 FIA Karting Academy Trophy 2nd
Kartmasters British GP - KF3 1st
Super One Series - KF3 3rd
2012 17° South Garda Winter Cup - KF2 12th
WSK Euro Series - KF2 ART Grand Prix 4th
CIK-FIA European Championship KF2 1st
CIK-FIA U18 World Championship 9th
Super One Series - KF2 1st
FIA Karting World Cup - KF2 6th
2013 Kartmasters British GP - Rotax Senior 28th
WSK Super Master Series - KF 2nd
18° South Garda Winter Cup - KF2 11th
WSK Euro Series - KF ART Grand Prix Srl 3rd
CIK-FIA European Championship - KF 13th
2015 South Garda Winter Cup - KF Birel ART 5th
CIK-FIA Karting European Championship - KF Birel ART Srl 24th
Kartmasters British GP - Rotax Senior 1st
Kartmasters British GP - X30 Senior 1st
2017 SKUSA SuperNationals XXI - X30 Senior Fullerton USA 2nd
Kartmasters British GP - X30 Senior Fullerton 1st
2018 Kartmasters British GP - X30 Senior Mick Barrett Racing 1st
2019 Kartmasters British GP - Rotax Senior Mick Barrett Racing 1st
Kartmasters British GP - X30 Senior Mick Barrett Racing 1st
IAME International Final - X30 Senior 2nd

Summary of Racing Career

Season Series Team Races Victories Pole Positions Fastest Laps Podium Finishes Points Final Standing
2013 Protyre Formula Renault Autumn Cup Fortec Motorsports 3 2 3 2 3 96 1st
2014 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC Fortec Motorsports 15 2 1 1 5 258 1st
Formula Renault 2.0 Alps 6 0 0 0 0 32 14th
Protyre Formula Renault Championship 3 0 0 0 0 60 13th
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 NC†
2015 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Fortec Motorsports 17 3 2 1 6 174 4th
Formula Renault 2.0 Alps 6 1 0 1 2 0 NC†
2015 BRDC Formula 4 Autumn Trophy 8 3 2 5 6 211 1st
2016 2016 FIA Formula 3 European Championship Hitech Racing 30 2 0 0 3 134 9th
2016 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup W Racing Team 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2017 2017 Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup Strakka Racing 10 0 0 2 0 2 29th
2017 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup 5 0 0 1 0 2 43rd
2017 Intercontinental GT Challenge Tekno Autosports/McLaren GT 2 0 0 0 0 15 9th
align=left rowspan=2> 2017 Pirelli World Challenge - GT and SprintX GT Championship Series (K-PAX Racing) 
  Combined statistics:  
  Races:17, Wins:0, Poles:0, Podiums:6, Points:280  
  Final positions:19th (PWC),7th (SprintX)
rowspan=4  2018

  British GT Championship - GT4 with Track-Club and Balfe Motorsport/PMW Expo Racing:    6 events, 1 victory, 13th in standings   Blancpain GT and Intercontinental GT Challenges with Garage 59:    7 starts, 1 podium, lower final rankings

rowspan=3  2019

  European Le Mans Series LMP2 campaign with Thunderhead Carlin Racing:    5 rounds, no wins, finished 25th overall   International GT Open Pro-Am with Teo Martín Motorsport:    4 races, no victories, modest results

2019–20 Asian Le Mans Series - LMP2 with Thunderhead Carlin Racing:

   4 races, secured 2 wins, ended as runner-up with 82 points

rowspan=4 2020

   Partial participation in FIA F3 and Euroformula Open Championships for Carlin Buzz Racing; achieved a win and pole position in Euroformula while limited impact in FIA F3.    Endurance events contested with Ema Group/Team59Racing and Cool Racing featuring minimal involvement.

2020-21 Gulf12 Hours entry with Two Seas Motorsport resulted in overall event victory as sole race participant.
rowspan=4 2021

   Competed in GT World Challenge Europe Sprint and Endurance Cups for Jota Sport; attained moderate outcomes with best finishes outside top ten.    Participated in Asian Le Mans Series GT and IMSA SportsCar Championship GTD classes with Inception Racing alongside Optimum Motorsport; consistently finished within the top five.

rowspan=6 2022

   Drove for Vasser Sullivan Racing in IMSA SportsCar Championship’s GTD Pro and GTD divisions; amassed multiple wins and concluded second overall in GTD Pro with substantial points tally.    Two Seas Motorsport secured another Gulf12 Hours triumph.    Represented Team Project1 in FIA World Endurance Championship LMGTE Am category achieving mid-field placements.    Inception Racing triumphed in Asian Le Mans Series GT class with strong podium finishes and points accumulation.

rowspan=5 2023

   Vasser Sullivan Racing dominated IMSA SportsCar Championship GTD Pro class capturing multiple victories and clinching the championship title.    AF Corse competed in European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro-Am and Le Mans LMP2 categories delivering solid performances but suffered a DNF at Le Mans.    Inception Racing and Walkenhorst Motorsport made limited appearances in British GT and Nürburgring Endurance Series respectively without scoring points.

rowspan=5 2024

   Vasser Sullivan continues competing in IMSA SportsCar Championship with competitive results including race wins but currently positioned fifth overall in the GTD Pro standings.    Team Impul entered Super Formula achieving minor points early in the season.    Optimum Motorsport participates in GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup yet to score points so far.    AF Corse captured victory in the prestigious Le Mans LMP2 class.    Two Seas Motorsport contests Asian Le Mans Series GT class currently ranked sixth overall.

rowspan=2 2025

   Akkodis ASP Team debuted in FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 class registering initial mid-field results; Vasser Sullivan remains active in IMSA SportsCar Championship gathering moderate points to date.

† Due to guest driver status, Barnicoat was not eligible to earn championship points. * Season currently ongoing.

Full Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup Results

(key) (Races highlighted in bold denote pole position; those in italics represent fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Final Position Points Scored
2014 Fortec Motorsports MNZ
1
9th 		MNZ
2
4th 		SIL
1
6th 		SIL
2
18th 		HOC
1
2nd 		HOC
2
1st 		HOC
3
6th 		SPA
1
2nd 		SPA
2
5th 		ASS
1
2nd 		ASS
2
Retired 		MST
1
1st 		MST
2
7th 		MST
3
Cancelled 		NÜR
1
4th 		NÜR
2
4th 		NÜR
3
Cancelled 		Champion 258

Full Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Series Results

(key) (Pole positions shown in bold; fastest laps indicated by italics)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Standing Points Accumulated
2014 Fortec Motorsports IMO
1 		IMO
2 		PAU
1
5th 		PAU
2
Retired 		RBR
1 		RBR
2 		SPA
1
Retired 		SPA
2
4th 		MNZ
1
5th 		MNZ
2
21st
Year Team 1 2 3 4 Final Standing Points Total
Fortec Motorsports IMO
1
4th 		IMO
5th 		PAU
1
9th 		PAU
Retired 		Not Classified† 0

† As a guest entrant, Barnicoat was not eligible to score points.

Full Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Results

(Legend) (Events highlighted in bold represent pole positions) (Events shown in italics denote fastest laps)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Final Position Total Points
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 		4th 174

Full FIA Formula 3 European Championship Results

((Legend)) (Entries in bold mark pole positions) (Entries in italics show fastest laps)

Year Team Engine Manufacturer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Championship Position (DC) Points Accumulated (Pts)

|- (2016) (HitechGP) (Mercedes) style= "text-align:center;" style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|LEC 1 (4) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #EFCFFF"|LEC 2 (Ret) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #CFCFFF"|LEC 3 (11) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|HUN 1 (9) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|HUN 2 (10) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #FFFFBF"|HUN 3 (1) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #FFFFBF"|PAU 1 (1) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|PAU 2 (5) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #CFCFFF"|PAU 3 (11) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|RBR 1 (10) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #CFCFFF"|RBR 2 (15) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|RBR 3 (5) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|NOR 1 (5) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #EFCFFF"|NOR 2 (Ret) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: black; color:white"|NOR 3 (DSQ) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #CFCFFF"|ZAN 1 (18) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|ZAN 2 (8) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|ZAN 3 (9) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #FFDF9F"|SPA 1 (3) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #CFCFFF"|SPA 2 (11) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #CFCFFF"|SPA 3 (20) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|NÜR 1 (9) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #EFCFFF"|NÜR 2 (Ret) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|NÜR 3 (10) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|IMO 1 (8) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #EFCFFF"|IMO 2 (Ret) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #CFCFFF"|IMO 3 (13) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #CFCFFF"|HOC 1 (18) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|HOC 2 (9) style= "font-size:85%; background-color: #DFFFDF"|HOC 3 (7)

9th 134 points

Full GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup standings

Year Team Vehicle Category 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final Position Total 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 		29th 2
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 		17th 19

† Classified as a finisher despite not completing the race, having covered over 90% of the distance.

Full British GT Championship standings

(Template:Motorsport driver results legend#key) (Bolded races denote pole position) (Italicized races indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Vehicle Category 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Championship Position Points Total
2018 Track-Club McLaren 570S GT4 GT4

style="background:#FFFFBF;" | OUL
1
14

style="background:#DFFFDF;" | OUL
2
18

style="background:#CFCFFF;" | ROC
1
28

style="background:#DFFFDF;" | SNE
1
16

<style="background:#EFCFFF;">SNE
2</style>
Ret

13th

43

nowrap | Balfe Motorsport/PMW Expo Racing

<style="background:#EFCFFF;">DON
1</style>
Ret

2023

Inception Racing

McLaren 720S GT3 Evo

GT3

<style="background:#DFFFDF;">SIL
1</style>
10

NC†

0†

† As a guest competitor, Barnicoat was not eligible to earn championship points.

Full European Le Mans Series Results

(key) (Entries in bold denote pole position; results shown in italics signify fastest lap)

Year Team Category Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 Overall Position Points
2019 Thunderhead Carlin Racing LMP2 Dallara P217 Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 LEC
11 		MNZ
11 		CAT
9 		SIL
Ret 		SPA
 ALG
Ret 		25th 3
2023 AF Corse LMP2 Pro-Am Oreca 07 Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 CAT
2 		LEC
3 		ARA SPA ALG
3 		ALG
1 		5th 73

Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship Results

(key) (Pole positions are shown in bold; fastest laps are indicated by italics)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Final Standing Points Scored
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 		getMNZ
SPR 		22nd 1

Complete Results at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Year Team Name Co-Drivers Vehicle Model Category/Class Completed Laps Overall Finish Position Class Finish Position
2021 Template:Country data GBRTemplate:Namespace detect showall Inception Racing

align="left" nowrap | United States Brendan Iribe
Template:Country data GBRTemplate:Namespace detect showall Ollie Millroy

align="left" nowrap | Ferrari 488 GTE Evo

GTE Am

327

41st

12th

2022

align="left" nowrap | Germany Team Project 1

align="left" nowrap | United States Brendan Iribe
Template:Country data GBRTemplate:Namespace detect showall Ollie Millroy

align="left" nowrap | Porsche 911 RSR-19

GTE Am

241

DNF

DNF

2023

rowspan=2 align="left" nowrap | Template:Country data ITATemplate:Namespace detect showall AF Corse

rowspan=2 align="left" nowrap | Template:Country data FRATemplate:Namespace detect showall Norman Nato
Template:Country data FRATemplate:Namespace detect showall François Perrodo

rowspan=2 align="left" nowrap | Oreca 07- Gibson

LMP2

rowspan=2 |183

rowspan=2 |DNF

rowspan=2 |DNF

LMP2 Pro-Am

2024

rowspan=2 align="left" nowrap | Template:Country data ITATemplate:Namespace detect showall AF Corse

rowspan=2 align="left" nowrap | Template:Country data FRATemplate:Namespace detect showall François Perrodo
Template:Country data ARGTemplate:Namespace detect showall Nicolás Varrone

rowspan=2 align="left" nowrap |Oreca 07- Gibson

LMP2

rowspan=2 |297

rowspan=2 |18th

4th

LMP2 Pro-Am

style="background:#FFFFBF;" | 1st


Full IMSA SportsCar Championship Results

(key) (Races highlighted in bold signify pole positions; those in italics denote fastest laps)

Year Team Category Vehicle Powertrain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Final Standing Points Accumulated
2021 Inception Racing partnered with
Optimum Motorsport 		GTD McLaren 720S GT3 McLaren M840T 4.0L Turbocharged V8 63rd place 209 points
2022 VasserSullivan GTD Pro Lexus RC F GT3 Toyota 2UR 5.0 L V8 engine

colspan=2|

GTD

colspan=4|

colspan=6|

* Current season ongoing.

Full FIA World Endurance Championship Results

(key) (Entries in bold indicate pole position; entries in italics represent fastest lap)

Year Team Name Category Car Model Engine Type Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Overall Position Total Points
2022 Team Project 1 LMGTE Am category Porsche 911 RSR-19 Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6 engine SEB
3rd 		SPA
Retired 		LMS
Retired 		MNZ
10th 		FUJ
8th 		BHR
2nd 		Finished 9th overall Earned 55 points
2025 Akkodis ASP Team LMGT3 class Lexus RC F GT3 Lexus 2UR-GSE 5.0 L V8 engine QAT
4th 		IMO SPA LMS SÃO COA FUJ BHR Currently placed 17th* Total points: 18*

* Season still underway.

Full Super Formula Championship Results

Year Racing Team Engine Supplier Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Round 9 Championship Position Points Scored
2024 Itochu Enex-backed Team Impul Toyota Gazoo Racing SUZ Autopolis
13th 		Sportsland Sugo | Fuji Speedway | Twin Ring Motegi | Fuji Speedway | Fuji Speedway | Suzuka International Racing Course | Suzuka International Racing Course | ! Ranked 23rd | No points earned |

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Ben_Barnicoat&oldid=36462"