Lucas Ordonez: From couch to track. You can’t press restart when you crash for real!

   

If you dream of becoming a race driver, chances are you’ve tried playing racing games. In the past, the difference between racing on the screen and racing on the track couldn’t have been greater. But thanks to video games such as Gran Turismo and its GT academy, which actually produces real-life racing champions, things are starting to change. So much so, in fact, that teams are now using simulation platforms to help them learn tracks. 

Earlier this year, Polyphony released the latest version of the Gran Turismo series: GT Sport, its most realistic game yet. To find out more, we met up with gamer, turned GT Academy winner, turned Nismo factory driver, Lucas Ordonez. 

Lucas, you were the first GT Academy Winner. Ten years down the line, you’re driving a GT-R NISMO GT3 with GT Sport Motul Team RJN. You’ve certainly evolved a lot as a driver. 

How has Gran Turismo evolved? 

Gran Turismo has been always led the way in graphics and ultra-realism. Its evolution over the years has been impressive in terms of the physics of the simulator as well. GT Sport is a huge step forward compared to previous editions as it includes what we now call e-sports. It has a fantastic function that matches drivers of similar levels – not only in terms of their driving skills but also how cleanly they drive on track. This makes racing online much more fun, competitive and clean. Now, with FIA’s approval of Gran Turismo, another big step has been taken in the simulation world.

Were you “a development driver” for GT sports?

Yes, in 2015 I spent a lot of time time at Polyphony Studios developing the Nissan GT-R LM for the Le Mans 24h. I’ve also had the chance to join them every year and test updates, new tracks and car models. 

Most drivers come from a go-karting background. Do you come exclusively from a gaming background, or have you had previous experience? 

Before winning the GT Academy, I used to spend many hours behind the screen to trying to achieve what I have now achieved in real life. Besides that I’d also had some experience with go-karts. My dad was a racing fan and he had some racing experience. When I turned 10, me and my brother, who was 14 at the time, had the chance to test go-karts and we were fast. So my dad made a big effort to give us the chance to race and compete in karting. Unfortunately it is very expensive and at some point we had to stop. Then in 2008 my life changed when GT Academy gave me the opportunity of a lifetime.

The World of e-sports has really started to take shape, to the point that the FIA is now supporting it. As an ambassador for GT Sport, how much have you been involved with that? 

As an ambassador, I didn’t have any direct involvement in that. But I’m sure that my race results and those of other GT Academy winners have helped to prove just how realistic and accurate Gran Turismo is and to show that the game can help to make you fast in real-life racing too.

What was the biggest challenge when moving from sim racing to a real car?

The pressure, nerves and responsibility that you have in a real car. You’re risking your life in real racing and you have to be able to handle that knowledge. In the real world you don’t have much time to train and develop your skills. However in the virtual world you can drive for as long as you want, with unlimited mileage and Gran Turismo money. You can’t press restart when you crash for real!

Do you reckon you can set a faster lap on Monza with a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in GT Sport than out there on the real track?

Yes, absolutely. During the Blancpain GT weekend in Monza we had the opportunity to train in two sim-pods using GT Sport before the real practice sessions, and we managed a best lap of 1:45.9. That’s 2.2 seconds faster then my lap on the real race track (1:48.1). But it’s worth mentioning that we had a softer tire compound in GT Sport. It’s incredible how accurate it is!