24h Le Mans
En 2020, les septièmes 24 Heures du Mans de Filipe Albuquerque seront les quatrièmes au sein de l’équipe britannique United Autosports, qu’il a rejointe en 2017. Sur la lancée d’une série victorieuse exceptionnelle tant en Championnat du Monde d’Endurance FIA qu’en European Le Mans Series, le pilote portugais et ses coéquipiers Paul di Resta et Phil Hanson font partie des favoris de la catégorie LMP2.
After two 24 Hours as an Audi factory driver in LMP1, Filipe Albuquerque is currently a top contender in the LMP2 class, first with RGR Sport in 2016 and for the last three years with United Autosports. He has experienced two generations of LMP2 prototypes. Filipe Albuquerque: "In fact, it's a huge step forward. I still remember the first time I drove one of today's LMP2 prototypes. I was stunned by the power and grip. Even though they were hard to drive, I can't see going back to an 'old' LMP2, it would be way too slow."
The arrival of the current LMP2 coincided with the Portuguese driver's long relationship with United Autosports. "I met Richard (Dean, Ed.) and Zak (Brown, Ed.) at Daytona in 2017 when they were forming their LMP2 team. They told me about their project and it was very interesting. Even though they were starting out in LMP2, they had a lot of experience in GT and had just won LMP3 in the European Le Mans Series." In Richard Dean, Albuquerque befriended a previous class winner at the 24 Hours (with Panoz in 2006): "Yes, no matter what I achieve, Richard reminds me that he won Le Mans, so I need to calm down (laughs, Ed.)!"
These last three seasons, Albuquerque has been a part of the United Autosports team's undeniable rise. The British outfit has won an exceptional six times: three in the FIA World Endurance Championship and three in the European Le Mans Series. The goal is to continue the momentum at Le Mans. "I think the big lesson to remember at Le Mans is that it isn't necessary to have the fastest car or be the fastest driver to win. These days, you have to do a flawless race. I am just as confident as I was at the beginning of the season. I know we have everything we need to win races. I have a great team, great engineers and mechanics and teammates, but no one can guarantee victory. So, as long as I haven't won the next race, I work just as hard as if I had lost the last one. I've already been unlucky at Le Mans, and I'm still seeking my first win. The class doesn't matter, I just want to win."
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, FREE PRACTICE, THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2020. Of all United Autosports drivers, Filipe Albuquerque is the only one to have competed in the LMP1 class, as a factory Audi driver.
