Get ready for a heart-stopping showdown in the desert! The Asian Le Mans Series is headed for a thrilling climax this weekend in Abu Dhabi, where the LMP2 championship is deadlocked in a tie that will leave you on the edge of your seat. But here's where it gets controversial: with five teams still in the running for the coveted automatic invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, who will emerge victorious? This is the part most people miss—the intricate strategies and sheer determination that could tip the scales in this high-stakes battle.
Cetilar Racing and CrowdStrike Racing by APR are neck and neck, both sitting on 80 points after splitting the season’s four wins between them. Cetilar’s trio of Antonio Fuoco, Charles Milesi, and Roberto Lacorte holds a slight edge thanks to a second-place finish, but George Kurtz, Louis Deletraz, and Malthe Jakobsen of CrowdStrike are hot on their heels. Meanwhile, Algarve Pro’s No. 25 Oreca, piloted by Michael Jensen, Tom Dillmann, and Enzo Trulli, sits 16 points back, still very much in the hunt with 52 points up for grabs. Mathematically, RD Limited and United Autosports are still in contention, but they face significant point deficits of 43 and 51, respectively.
Here’s the twist: the GT division is equally electrifying, with an additional Le Mans auto-invite on the line. Eight teams are vying for the title, but Kessel Racing’s No. 74 crew of Dustin Blattner, Chris Lulham, and Dennis Marschall is in pole position. Their Ferrari 296 GT3 has secured two wins in the last three races, giving them a 21-point cushion. A victory in Saturday’s opener would clinch the title for them. But don’t count out Manthey’s Porsche 911 GT3 R or the GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, both within striking distance. And this is the part most people miss: could an underdog like AF Corse’s No. 21 or No. 54 Ferrari pull off a surprise upset?
In the LMP3 division, while no Le Mans invite is at stake, the title fight is razor-close. CLX Motorsport’s Alexander Jacoby, Paul Lanchere, and Kevin Rabin lead by just one point over Inter Europol Competition’s Alex Bukhantsov, Chun Ting Chou, and Henry Cubides Olarte. With only 11 points separating the top four teams, every second will count.
The 46-car entry list for the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi sees minor changes from Dubai, with the notable absence of the EBM Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo. In LMP2, Fred Poordad is set to return to RD Limited’s Oreca after an injury, pending medical clearance. LMP3 team R-ace GP introduces a fresh lineup, including 18-year-old Kiwi talent Zack Scoular. In GT, AF Corse’s No. 54 Ferrari welcomes Custodio Toledo and Riccardo Agostini, while SUPER GT’s Kiyoto Fujinami rejoins Proton Competition’s No. 77 Porsche.
Controversial question to ponder: With so much on the line, will the pressure push teams to take risks that could backfire, or will we see calculated brilliance under fire? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—who do you think will clinch the title, and why?
