Tom Blomqvist is set for the final double-header of the 2021 Asian Le Mans Series at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, contesting the pair of four-hour races with JOTA teammate Sean Gelael at the wheel of the team’s #28 Oreca 07 Gibson.
Tom steps into the car following the team’s podium finish at the opening race at Dubai Autodrome, where Gelael and Stoffel Vandoorne claimed second place in the LMP2 category followed by sixth place in the second race.
The trio worked closely together in the build-up to the opening rounds of the championship with Tom on-hand across the weekend in preparation for rounds three and four.
It will mark Tom’s first race in LMP2 machinery since the 2016 World Endurance Championship, where he claimed an emphatic second-place podium at Shanghai, also alongside Gelael.
The 2021 Asian Le Mans Series takes on a different form compared to previous years, with the calendar altered from its traditional four-month winter format to a condensed schedule comprising of four races across two weekends - which started at Dubai Autodrome for the opening two rounds and culminates at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for the final two.
“I’m really looking forward to getting started this weekend,” Tom said. “The car is great to drive so it’ll be really fun to race it in not one but two events with the schedule giving us plenty of track time over the next few days.
“Sean and Stoffel proved last weekend that we’ve got a strong package capable of going for the win so we just need some luck on our side and maximum effort from myself and Sean. The last time we raced in LMP2 together, we scored a podium so I’m feeling confident about our chances!”
The race weekend begins with two Free Practice sessions on Thursday, at 14:30 and 18:30 local time, with qualifying for both races from 09:40 on Friday morning. The first race of the weekend is scheduled to begin at 16:00 on Friday afternoon, running through to 20:00. The final race of the season then follows at 16:10 on Saturday afternoon through to 20:10 in the evening.
Viewers around the world can follow live timing and tune in to the races through the Asian Le Mans Series website.
Images courtesy of JOTA.
In association with MBP
