Gianni Lasserre will make his NASCAR Euro Series debut in the Rookie Challenge – The Speedhouse driver will drive the #5 Academy / Caffi car
- Gianni Lasserre will step into his father’s footprints and compete in the NASCAR Euro Series
- The French will join Academy / Alex Caffi Motorsport for the Rookie Challenge in Valencia
- As a Speedhouse driver, Gianni Lasserre wants to make a career in NASCAR racing
In the world of international touring car racing, some names simply carry the weight of the checkered flag. For the 2026 season, a familiar surname returns to the NASCAR Euro Series grid with a fresh face behind the wheel. Speedhouse has officially pulled the sheet off their latest weapon for the Rookie Challenge: Gianni Lasserre.
The move marks a moving coming of home for the young Frenchman. Having spent his childhood as a fixture in the paddock, Gianni Lasserre is transitioning from the “kid of the circuit” to a full-time contender in the most prestigious touring series on the continent. While he is signed to the Speedhouse stable for the long haul, he will make his initial splash at the season opener in Valencia under the Academy / Alex Caffi Motorsport banner – a strategic partnership aimed at getting the rookie vital seat time.
For Speedhouse owner and veteran racer Lucas Lasserre, this isn’t just a personnel move; it’s the culmination of a decade of development. Lucas Lasserre, a man who has lived and breathed the roar of a V8 for years, sees this as the logical next step for the Speedhouse Karting Academy standout.
“I’m really happy to announce Gianni Lasserre – from the Basque Country – onboard at Speedhouse for the 2026 season and beyond in the Rookie Challenge,” Lucas Lasserre stated. “As you know, Gianni is my son and this is the kid of the series. He has followed me everywhere for a long time and I am extremely happy to have the possibility to integrate him into our program. He also has been a Speedhouse Karting Academy driver since the beginning and it’s now a logical evolution. He won the last two years of the Karting Championship Rotax Nationale and Senior and he is now ready to jump into the seat!”
Lucas emphasized that while the bond is familial, the expectations are strictly professional.
“He will be integrated at the same level as the other Speedhouse drivers and will be managed directly by my crew. With Nuno Caetano, Andreas Kuchelbacher, Yann Cristovao and now Gianni, we have a very strong lineup to fight for the 2026 Rookie Challenge! Gianni is ready and his attitude is all that I like and respect inside and outside the car. He is serious, determined, applied, and always wants more!”
“You know my commitment to young pilots in order to train them and prepare them to win. Gianni participated in our Winter Camp Program at the circuit of Fontenay-Le-Comte last November and these trials were the key element. He was able to realize the efficiency of our car, our organization, meet our technical staff and progress throughout the day. We will continue and prepare him seriously to be totally ready for the start of the championship in Valencia.”
Gianni Lasserre isn’t just relying on his DNA. A product of the modern era, his preparation bridges the gap between the virtual world and the asphalt. A dedicated sim-racer with his sights set on the hallowed banks of Daytona, Gianni views the 2026 campaign as the foundational block of a global career.
“I’m very excited to announce that I will be competing in the Rookie Challenge with Speedhouse for the 2026 season!” Gianni said. “I’m really happy to continue with Speedhouse, this time in a car after several years in karting. It will be a completely new experience for me! After spending years alongside the team dreaming of racing one day, that dream is now becoming a reality. I’m also passionate about sim-racing, always pushing myself to improve and get as close as possible to real-life driving, with one dream in mind: to race at Daytona one day.”
The transition from lightweight karts to the heavy-metal, high-horsepower machines typical of the series is a daunting task for any rookie, a fact Gianni acknowledges with veteran-like focus.
“At the same time, I will continue my karting season with Speedhouse Academy, but this step means a lot to me and for my career. Everything will be new for me: the car, the weight, the power, and I really can’t wait to get started! The Rookie Challenge requires a lot of focus and consistency, and that’s exactly what I love. This year, my goal is to gain experience with the car, the championship, and the circuits. I would like to thank the entire Speedhouse team for their trust and professionalism. I can’t wait to be in Valencia in just a few days!”
As the green flag nears in Spain, the narrative is clear: Gianni Lasserre is no longer just a spectator. He’s a contender. “To conclude,I would like to extend a big thank you to Alex Caffi, Federico Monti and Academy Motorsport for integrating Gianni into their team in order to allow him to participate in the Valencia meeting. Grazie,” Lucas Lasserre added.
Featured image by Speedhouse
