Proton Competition still eager to fight for the title at the final races in the Gulf
Ummendorf – The United Arab Emirates as the hub of the sports car world: the Asian Le Mans Series will crown its champions in the Gulf after 16 hours of thrilling motorsport. Two four-hour races will be held on 8 and 9 February in Dubai, followed by two more just one week later on 15 and 16 February.
Proton Competition will compete with four cars in this unique season finale. In the LMP2 class, the team from Ummendorf, Germany, will line up as runners-up of the last season with two Oreca 07-Gibson race cars. In the most strongly contested GT class, the team led by Christian and Michael Ried will field two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs, one of them for team Iron Dames.
As the opening races in Malaysia proved, the Asian Le Mans Series is on the upswing: 32 teams with 47 cars and 141 drivers from 26 nations will be contesting Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Proton teams in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
LMP2: Jonas Ried (GER), Mathias Beche (SUI), third driver tbn, Oreca 07-Gibson (#11).
LMP2: Giorgio Roda (ITA), Vladislav Lomko, Tom Dillmann (FRA), Oreca 07-Gibson (#22).
GT: Claudio Schiavone (SUI), Matteo Cressoni (ITA), Alessio Picariello (BEL), Porsche 911 GT3 R (#60).
GT: Celia Martin (FRA), Sarah Bovy (BEL), Michelle Gatting (DEN), Porsche 911 GT3 R, (#85) fielded for Team Iron Dames.
Comments before the race
Michael Ried, Team Principal and CTO Proton Competition: “Four races in such quick succession on two such differing tracks is an exciting challenge for teams and drivers. Nevertheless, we’re well prepared and see this unique final stretch of the Asian Le Mans Series as an opportunity to still get involved in the title race despite our somewhat unlucky start to the season.”
Christian Ried, Team Principal Proton Competition: “With these four races, we want to contribute to making our sport even more popular in this region. We already started from pole twice at the season opener in Sepang, which Giorgio achieved by delivering a fantastic qualifying performance. However, we didn’t manage to convert that advantage into a top result. The aim is to make up for that in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Four races mean four opportunities. We want to capitalise on as many of them as possible.”
Mathias Beche (Oreca 07-Gibson #11): “I’m really looking forward to the four Asian Le Mans races with Proton Competition. We’ve already put some good things in place with the team in Malaysia, but unfortunately, I was hit by a tough virus, which prevented us from fully maximizing our package. That only served as more motivation to come back stronger in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to push for a great result together.”
Jonas Ried (Oreca 07-Gibson #11): “At the start of the season in Sepang, we were hit by a competitor while lapping after a strong start. The repair stop cost us any chance of a good result. We started from the second row in both races – more would’ve undoubtedly been possible.”
Giorgio Roda (Oreca 07-Gibson #22): “After a short winter break, it’s finally time to put on the suit and jump in the car again. After a difficult start to ALMS in Sepang we have analyzed what didn’t go as planned and we are more than ready to go for it in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It may sound hard and it will be, but our goal is to go for victories and be back in the game for the championship. Last year we were able to end up on the second step of the championship podium, so our goal needs to be the very top.”
Tom Dillmann (Oreca 07-Gibson #22): “We had a disappointing start at the peculiar Sepang event and I’m out for revenge. The target can only be to win races in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.”
Matteo Cressoni (Porsche 911 GT3 #60): “It’s been a while since my last race in Dubai. It’s a highly challenging circuit. It’s important for us to come back to the ALMS with a strong result. After Daytona, we’re confident. We all know Abu Dhabi better. We want to secure at least a top-5 finish there.”
Alessio Picariello (Porsche 911 GT3 #60): „I’m looking forward to being back with the team in the Middle East. We will try to finish the season on a high note.”
Sarah Bovy (Porsche 911 GT3 #85): “It’s a pleasure to be back on track with Michelle and Celia for the two last rounds of ALMS. We finished on a promising note in Sepang and I’m looking forward to hitting the tracks here in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We’re prepared to face this new challenge together.”
Célia Martin (Porsche 911 GT3 #85): “I’m very excited to race in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A new track, a new challenge, but the same focus. I’m looking forward to building on our momentum and pushing even harder.”
The race tracks
The Dubai Autodrome is 5.377 kilometres long and twists through 16 corners. The Yas Marina Circuit has been the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. The track is 5.281 kilometres long, also spanning 16 bends.
The schedule
The four-hour races in Dubai commence on 8 and 9 February at 14:10 local time (11:10 CET). The races in Abu Dhabi will take place on 15 February at 15:00 local time (12:00 CET) and on 16 February at 16:00 local time (13:00 CET). A live stream of all four races is available at asianlemansseries.com.
