Braun, Jakobsen Confirmed in CrowdStrike by APR Lineup

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Colin Braun and Malthe Jakobsen will join George Kurtz in CrowdStrike Racing by APR’s LMP2 entry for the 2023-24 Asian Le Mans Series, it was confirmed on Wednesday.

Braun, a longtime co-driver with Kurtz who teamed to win this year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Pro-Am title, is set to take on the five-round season that kicks off next month at Sepang.

Jakobsen, who is a Peugeot Sport junior driver, will be making his debut with the Algarve Pro Racing-run team.

APR was a regular on the Asian Le Mans grid from the series’ re-launch in 2015 until 2021, when it claimed a third LMP2 title to those achieved in 2016-17 and 2019-20, and the ‘Gentleman’s Trophy’ it won in the 2017-18 season.

After a year away, the Portugal-based team made its comeback in 2023.

“We are very excited about participating in our first Asian Le Mans season and are looking forward to experiencing new tracks and facing new competition,” said Kurtz.

“This marks the first time a fully CrowdStrike-branded car competes in a full season in the region, and our team is locked in to perform at the highest level.

“CrowdStrike Racing by APR earned a Le Mans win and an IMSA [Endurance Cup] championship already this season, and APR has a history of success in the Asian Le Mans Series.

“We will keep our heads down and work towards our goal like we would in any race series.”

Braun, who has three Rolex 24 at Daytona class wins, including one in LMP2, added: “Certainly, after a huge win in the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we have some good momentum and confidence in our program.

“The entire team sure knows how to put together a fast car. I’m personally looking forward to learning new circuits, and having Malthe’s experience will be a huge asset. I know George and I will be working hard on the simulator to prepare.”

Twenty-year-old Jakobsen, who won the 2022 European Le Mans Series LMP3 championship, graduated to the LMP2 ranks this year, scoring an overall win in Asian Le Mans competition.

Additionally, the Danish driver has previous experience at Sepang in Formula 4 competition. The Malaysian track makes its return to the calendar for the first time since the COVID pandemic.

“Algarve Pro has also won the European Le Mans Series and I believe the team will provide a competitive package, and there’s even more reason to be optimistic when you consider I have George  and Colin as my teammates,” he said.

“I always try to be realistic and not overshoot what’s possible, but I strongly believe we can win the championship and the automatic Le Mans entry, which is the main driving force.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John