24h Le Mans
On Sunday 14 April, the 4 Hours of Le Castellet will kick off the 2019 European Le Mans Series season. If the entry list and times clocked during the official testing sessions are any indication, this first round is looking extremely promising, with 41 cars and more than 100 drivers in the three classes.
A few months after celebrating and awarding titles to last year's champions in Portimão, the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) resumes this weekend at Le Castellet for the first round of the 2019 season. Here's how the classes break down:
The caliber of teams and their potential are just as impressive as the number of entrants, as evidenced by the time record established by Anders Fjordbach during the first session of official tests at the Paul Ricard circuit, with a lap completed in 1:40.404. The time clocked (0.6 seconds faster than the previous record) at the wheel of High Class Racing's #20 ORECA proves the team is a new top LMP2 contender at the 5.791 km-circuit.
Also, this year the European Le Mans Series is welcoming an all-female driver line-up (LMGTE class) for the first time ever. Swiss team Kessel Racing is entrusting its #83 Ferrari 488 to Danish driver Michelle Gatting, Swiss driver Rachel Frey and Italian driver Manuela Gostner. The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Women In Motorsports is supporting the Kessel Racing team for its participation in the 87th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (15-16 June).
Fun Fact: this opening round of the 2019 ELMS season will be marked by the first appearance of Rooky, the championship's new mascot!
4 Hours of Le Castellet Schedule:
For more information, go to the official European Le Mans Series website.
