R01 Paul Ricard – European Le Mans Series Race Preview
The 2022 European Le Mans Series season will go underway at Circuit Paul Ricard in Southern France this weekend, adding a second chapter to PREMA’s endurance racing debut. Following a positive debut in the FIA WEC opener at Sebring, the Italian operation regrouped for the start of the European series with a new line-up.
Right before the start of collective pre-season testing, the driving trio became more similar to the one used in WEC. Juan Manuel Correa, who was set to make his first endurance racing start, was sidelined due to medical reasons and was replaced by WEC silver driver Lorenzo Colombo (21).
The PREMA camp can rely on two of the finest LMP2 drivers in business. Lining up with the team for a double program, reigning ELMS Champion Louis Delétraz (24) will provide consistency and stability in addition to the sheer pace seen at Sebring, while Ferdinand Habsburg brings in more talent and experience at his first outing under PREMA’s banner. The 24-year-old Austrian is the reigning WEC and Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 Champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner.
The Delétraz-Habsburg pairing already delivered in testing by setting the two fastest laps of the 2-day official pre-season session, and with Colombo quickly catching up in terms of experience, the team is looking forward to a smooth run at the French Grand Prix Circuit. A classic destination for the European Le Mans Series, the 5.8-kilometer Circuit Paul Ricard is a state-of-the-art facility with plenty of challenging corners. With 42 cars on track and LMP2 being the leading class, traffic will be a major concern, so qualifying well will be pivotal.
Rene Rosin – Team Principal
“We are looking forward to the start of the European Le Mans Series season. Everyone on the team enjoyed racing WEC in Sebring, and it will be great to start implementing what we have learned and see the progress. We are delighted to keep working with Louis and to have Ferdinand in our line-up. While we were saddened by JM Correa’s injury, we know what Lorenzo is capable of, and carrying two-thirds of the WEC team into the ELMS opener will help us establish ourselves. Things went pretty smoothly so far in testing, but the race is a whole different thing and we will keep the focus intact for that.”
Source | Photo: PREMA Racing