Final Chance to See ELMS Action this Season

With 108 drivers and 32 teams representing 25 nations from across the globe, the 4 Hours of Portimão can truly claim to be a high calibre international event. Once again a huge 39 strong grid will provide the fans at the circuit and at home watching on TV with some of the best motor sport entertainment anywhere in the world. 

LMP2: Who will win the last race of 2018?

With the LMP2 titles decided in favour of the no26 G-Drive Racing Oreca, and drivers Roman Rusinov and Andrea Pizzitola, the battle in the final four hour race of the 2018 season will be to see who can stand on the top step of the podium and finish as 2018 vice champions.

The no22 United Autosports Ligier of local hero Filipe Albuquerque and British driver Phil Hanson travel to Portimão as round 5 race winners, with 19-year-old Hanson becoming the youngest ever overall winner in an ELMS race.

Once again Jean-Eric Vergne will be joining teammates Roman Rusinov and Andrea Pizzitola in the no26 G-Drive Racing Oreca-Gibson and the Franco-Russian trio will be looking for win number four to finish their championship winning season off in style. The no24 Racing Engineering and no28 IDEC Sport Orecas are currently tied on 56 points, with the Racing Engineering currently classified in second position after five races thanks to the win in Round 1 at Le Castellet. 

The no21 DragonSpeed Oreca-Gibson is in fourth place on 50 points, just six behind their two rivals.

As well as Filipe Albuquerque, local fans will have another driver to cheers with Henrique Chaves (AVF by Adrian Valles) and two cars with the no25 Algarve Pro Racing and the no31 APR-Rebellion Racing both flying the Portuguese flag at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.

LMP3: All to Play For in Portugal

There are five cars still with a mathematical chance of lifting the 2018 LMP3 title, which is currently led by the no15 RLR MSport Ligier-Nissan of Canadian John Farano, British driver Rob Garofall and Dutchman Job Van Uitert. The trio finished second in the rain shortened 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps behind the no2 United Autosports Ligier of 2017 LMP3 Champion John Falb and Australian Scott Andrews, who was standing in for Sean Rayhall.

The RLR MSport team and drivers are currently on 67.5 points, 14 points ahead of the second placed no6 360 Racing Ligier of Terrence Woodward and Ross Kaiser, with the no3 United Autosports Ligier just one point behind on 52.5 points.

With 18 cars forming the LMP3 class grid, there are plenty of contenders for the final winner’s trophy of the 2018 season. There have been four different winners, underlining the competitiveness of the junior Le Mans prototype category.

LMGTE: Will the Rodas Make ELMS History?

Father and son duo Gianluca and Giorgio Roda could make ELMS history at the end of the 4 Hours of Portimão. If the current LMGTE championship leaders secure enough points to become 2018 ELMS LMGTE champions, they will be the first father and son to win an ELMS title together. The Italians will be racing the no88 Proton Competition Porsche 911 alongside their compatriot Matteo Cairoli. They currently have 80.5 points from the first five races, while Cairoli has 70.5 after missing the race at Monza in May. 

Their nearest championship rival is the 2017 championship winning car, the no66 JMW Motorsport Ferrari, with Liam Griffin, Alex MacDowall and Miguel Molina on 69 points, just 11.5 behind the leading Porsche. The no55 Spirit of Race Ferrari of Duncan Cameron, Matt Griffin and Aaron Scott is just 2 points behind the no66 Ferrari on 67 points.

The 4 Hours of Portimão will take place on Sunday 28 October and is round 6 of the 2018 European Le Mans Series.

CLICK HERE for the provisional entry list for the 4 Hours of Portimão.