A Thrilling Showdown in Abu Dhabi: LMP2 Title Race Heating Up
The Asian Le Mans Series is set for a thrilling finale in Abu Dhabi, with the LMP2 division's championship battle reaching a fever pitch. Two teams, Cetilar Racing and CrowdStrike Racing by APR, are tied on points, both aiming to secure an automatic invitation to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. The race is on, and the tension is palpable.
Cetilar Racing's No. 47 Cetilar Oreca 07 Gibson, managed by AF Corse, and Algarve Pro's No. 4 car have dominated the season, splitting all four wins. Cetilar's Antonio Fuoco, Charles Milesi, and Roberto Lacorte hold a slight edge over their rivals, George Kurtz, Louis Deletraz, and Malthe Jakobsen, thanks to their one second-place finish. The gap is narrow, and every point counts.
Algarve Pro's No. 25 Oreca, shared by Michael Jensen, Tom Dillmann, and Enzo Trulli, sits third, 16 points behind the leaders. The battle for the title is far from over, with 52 points still up for grabs in Abu Dhabi. RD Limited's No. 25 and United Autosports' No. 2 crews remain in contention but face significant point deficits.
The GT division also promises an exciting finale, with eight teams vying for the title. Kessel Racing's No. 74 crew, driven by Dustin Blattner, Chris Lulham, and Dennis Marschall, leads with a 21-point advantage. A victory on Saturday could secure them the title. Manthey Porsche's No. 92 and AF Corse Ferraris are also in the mix, though facing steeper challenges.
In the LMP3 division, the battle is intense, with the top four teams separated by just 11 points. CLX Motorsport Ligier's Alexander Jacoby, Paul Lanchere, and Kevin Rabin hold a slender lead over Inter Europol Competition Ligier's Alex Bukhantsov, Chun Ting Chou, and Henry Cubides Olarte. The championship is anyone's game.
Minor Changes in Abu Dhabi Lineup
The 46-car entry list for the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi shows only minor adjustments from the previous Dubai event. EBM Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo is notably absent after its recent withdrawal. In LMP2, Fred Poordad returns to the cockpit, replacing James Sweetnam, who filled in during his absence due to injury. The LMP3 class welcomes back Fabien Michal and Pierre-Alexandre Provost, joined by the promising 18-year-old Zack Scoular.
The GT ranks see changes as well, with AF Corse's No. 54 crew welcoming new drivers Custodio Toledo and Riccardo Agostini, alongside Francesco Castellacci. Kiyoto Fujinami rejoins Proton Competition's No. 77 Porsche lineup, adding to the excitement. As the Asian Le Mans Series concludes in Abu Dhabi, the drama and competition are sure to captivate fans and spectators alike.
