Pizzitola Returns to Algarve Pro

Photo: MPS Agency

Andrea Pizzitola has returned to Algarve Pro Racing for the upcoming European Le Mans Series season and is set to share an Oreca 07 Gibson with John Falb and Mark Patterson.

The Frenchman heads back to the Portuguese team after a season with the TDS Racing-run G-Drive squad.

Pizzitola combined with Jean-Eric Vergne and Roman Rusinov to with the ELMS LMP2 title last season, scoring three race wins in the process.

Before joining the French-Russian operation in 2018, he competed with Algarve Pro for two seasons in the top class of ELMS.

He’s currently competing with Algarve Pro in the Asian Le Mans Series and won the second race at Fuji alongside Harrison Newey.

“I’m really happy to be extending my association with Algarve Pro Racing,” said Pizzitola. “It’s the team that gave me my first chance in LMP2, so for me it’s more than a team, it’s part of the story of my career and a family.

“I’m also excited to be racing again in the European Le Mans Series with Mark and John. It’s going to be an awesome challenge and I think we can figure highly throughout.

“In the Oreca 07 we have a good chance to be out front in qualifying and we can always aim for the podium. The level is high in the ELMS and that will make achieving results even more satisfying.

“We will do all we can to feature at the top. Last year I had a great season, winning the title. I’m not going into 2019 with the specific aim of defending my crown, as I just want to race.

“I took the same approach last year and thoughts about the championship always come later.”

Elsewhere in the lineup, Falb is set to make his LMP2 debut, having stepped up to the ELMS’ premier class after two seasons competing with United Autosports in LMP3.

“I feel really good and I’m ready to go,” said Falb. “I’ve been methodically stepping up the prototypes ladder over the years and after three seasons on the ELMS LMP3 grid, it’s definitely time to graduate to LMP2.

“Having already tested a P2 car, I’m really excited about this new challenge.

“LMP2 is a very competitive class and there aren’t many teams with Bronze drivers in their line-ups, so I must keep reasonable expectations and simply concentrate on doing my best.”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.