Jota Sport will go all-out in attack for the fifth and final round of the European Le Mans Series at Estoril this weekend.
They have just a one point advantage going into the final round of the season, after their 18 point lead was wiped out by a post-race penalty las time out.
With 26pts available, Simon Dolan, Filipe Albuquerque and Harry Tincknell will have the pedal to the metal for the entire four hours.
The trio have posted podium finishes in all four races so far this year featuring one win (Red Bull Ring) plus second (Silverstone) and third (Imola and Paul Ricard) placings. Meanwhile their Gibson 015S-Nissan has started all four races from the front row – including three pole-positions – and set two fastest race laps.
An unfortunate software glitch caused the team to breach the 90mins maximum driving time by less than two minutes turning celebrations in to commiserations after its “win” at Paul Ricard last month. A somewhat harsh time penalty of 45secs was awarded, hours after the post-race celebrations, for an innocent error that resulted in no gain or benefit to the leading and ultimately winning JOTA Gibson.
The JOTA camp are nevertheless rejuvenated by this setback in its quest to win its first ELMS title. Having contested the championship since the first race at Paul Ricard in 2012, the British team has finished 10th (2012), third (2013) and second (2014) in the series. Last year, despite achieving first, second, third and fourth place race finishes plus four “pole” positions, JOTA agonisingly missed out on the Series “crown” by just four-points.
While brake issues around the 13-corner, 2.6-mile Estoril circuit near Lisbon, handicapped the then Zytek named LM P2 sportscar in last year’s corresponding race resulting in a third place from pole-position, this year’s rebranded and updated Gibson chassis has shown stunning speed and impeccable reliability so far this season. Two 90min Free Practice sessions are staged on Saturday (1030 & 1500). The following day features qualifying (0930) and the Four Hours of Estoril (1300).
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Albuquerque said: “I can’t wait to go to Estoril and to have this great championship finalé. The track suits us very well. To be racing in front of my ‘home’ crowd is always special. I will use all of my experience that I have learnt with JOTA Sport and Audi Sport to stay focused and give it my best. A race win would earn me the ELMS title in my own country and that would be a dream.
“JOTA has great momentum in the team and us drivers. Nearing the end of a second season together, we really know each other well. Personally, I have the feeling that we ‘won’ the previous race even if that is not the reality. The Estoril track is very tricky to overtake on and there is no room for mistakes without getting punished.”