LMP2 Champions Included in Algarve Pro Asian Lineup

Algarve Pro Racing has finalized its driver lineup for the 2018-19 Asian Le Mans Series which includes two reigning LMP2 champions.

European Le Mans Series champion Andrea Pizzitola, defending Asian champion Harrison Newey and ELMS regular Ate de Jong will co-drive a Ligier JS P2 Judd entered by the Portugal-based team.

Pizzitola, who clinched the ELMS drivers’ title in a G-Drive Racing Oreca 07 Gibson with Roman Rusinov, returns to the team with which he finished second in the 2016-17 Asian LMS standings.

“I’m really happy and excited to be re-joining Algarve Pro Racing, as I have learned a lot during my time with the team and it feels like a second home,” said the Frenchman.

“I have known Ate for three years now and I have seen him grow in confidence, so I’m sure he will do good things in the Asian LMS. I also know Harrison and it’s clear that he’s a nice guy and a very fast racing driver after competing against him in the ELMS.”

Newey clinched last season’s Asian LMP2 title by winning three out of four races with Jackie Chan DC Racing x Jota Sport team-mates Thomas Laurent and Stephane Richelmi.

The 20-year-old Englishman went on to sign for Algarve Pro Racing in the ELMS, where he drove the team’s APR Rebellion-entered Oreca.

De Jong, meanwhile, was part of Algarve Pro’s sister ELMS crew and returns to the Asian series having won last season’s Gentleman’s Trophy. 

The Pro-class entry joins Algarve Pro’s already-announced Am category Ligier which will be driven by Chris McMurry, Anders Fjordbach and Mark Patterson.

The four-round Asian Le Mans Series gets underway with the 4 Hours of Shanghai on Nov. 25.