Malthe Jakobsen and Algarve Pro Racing are in second place in the Asian Le Mans Series after two great results in Malaysia.
The future Peugeot TotalEnergies Hypercar driver has been teamed up this winter with Danish expatriate Michael Jensen and Italian talent Valerio Rinicella. Neither of the two has previously raced in the LMP2 class, but the trio delivered impressive results at Sepang International Circuit.
In the time trials, Michael Jensen secured seventh place on the grid for both races this weekend, so there was work to be done to move forward. On Saturday, Michael Jensen started well, but a lack of grip in the tyres took the speed out of the car during his stint. However, Valerio Rinicella was able to compensate and handed the car over to Malthe Jakobsen in third place, which just about made it to the finish line:
– “Michael and Valerio drove some really good stints, especially considering it was their first race in LMP2. I was close to third for a long time, but we were passed during the pit stop, so we only finished fourth,” says Malthe Jakobsen, who was able to climb the top step of the podium after Sunday’s race.
The Algarve Pro Racing car got off to another good start, with Rinicella and Jensen once again delivering solid stints before the speedy Thybo had to get in the car and finish the race. Thanks to a perfectly timed pitstop strategy, Malthe managed to take the lead from fifth place, and when heavy rain hit the track not long after, Malthe timed his pitstop and change to rain tyres perfectly.
Due to the amount of precipitation, the race was cancelled with 45 minutes left, and despite clearing, it was not possible to resume the race. Malthe and his Algarve Pro Racing team-mates won the race with the car parked at the finish line:
– “It’s a sad ending to a good race, but the conditions were not suitable for racing. Some cars aquaplaned while we were driving behind the safety car, so it was the right decision, says Malthe Jakobsen, who is still delighted with the victory:
– “It was a great race! Michael and Valerio drove impressively well, and the team nailed the pit stops and strategy perfectly. The car was also just as it should be, so I have no doubt that we could have taken the win if the race had continued. It’s been a really good weekend and a great start to the championship, says Malthe Jakobsen, who together with Michael Jensen and Valerio Rinicella is now in second place in the Asian Le Mans Series.
And when the season continues at Dubai Autodrome on 7-8 February, the Danish hypercar factory driver and his teammates will have high ambitions:
– “We’ve proven that the car, the team and the drivers have what it takes, so we just have to work hard to take the championship,” promises Malthe Jakobsen.