Asian Le Mans Series: Second win in a row for AF Corse by Ultimate and their Ligier JS P320
The second race of the Asian Le Mans Series took place on Sunday, December 9, the day after the opening of the 2024/25 season. It was marked by extreme weather conditions. Although the day began with bright sunshine and temperatures in excess of 35°C, the weather quickly deteriorated, culminating in a violent thunderstorm that brought out a red flag with an hour to go. AF Corse by Ultimate took its second LMP3 win with Stéphane Lémeret, Matteo Quintarelli and Bence Valint. The #49 High Class Racing Ligier JS P320 driven by Mark Patterson and Anders Fjordbach finished second, as it had the day before. RLR MSport and its #15 Ligier JS P320 rounded off the podium with Nick Adcock, Ian Aguilera and James Dayson.
Unpredictable weather disrupts strategies
While the first few hours of the race took place on a dry track, intermittent rain quickly complicated the teams' strategic choices, particularly with regard to tires. The last hour of the race, marked by a violent thunderstorm, forced the stewards to interrupt the race.
Another victory for AF Corse by Ultimate in LMP3
In the LMP3 category, AF Corse by Ultimate shone once again with the #35 Ligier JS P320. After clinching their second pole position of the weekend, Stéphane Lémeret, Matteo Quintarelli and Bence Valint dominated the race, crossing the finish line one lap ahead of their rivals. This second consecutive victory sees them leave Sepang at the top of the LMP3 championship with a total of 52 points.
“Stéphane handed me the car with really good tyres,” explained Bence Valint. “The car was really fast at the beginning. I could build a small gap with the car behind which was just enough to be a lap ahead when I handed over to Stéphane again. In the end it helped us a lot because during the Safety car it meant that the other LMP3 cars didn't have a pass around so we could maintain our advantage. It was a really key moment of the race.”
High Class Racing's #49 Ligier JS P320, driven by Mark Patterson and Anders Fjordbach, secured a solid second place, while RLR MSport's #15, with Nick Adcock, Ian Aguilera and James Dayson, completed the podium.
Next meeting in Dubai
The Ligier teams will meet again for the next round of the championship in Dubai on January 19 and 20, 2025. AF Corse by Ultimate leads the LMP3 standings, but the competition, headed by High Class Racing, promises to be fierce.
Photo credit: Asian Le Mans Series
For more information on the Asian Le Mans Series, CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Ligier JS P320.
CLICK HERE to have more information on the Ligier JS P325, the third generation of Ligier LMP3.