The 2024 GT / Endurance season has barely ended in Jeddah in GT World Challenge Europe, and 2025 is already looming with the start of the 2024-2025 Asian Le Mans Series this weekend.
The opportunity to present to you this thirteenth campaign of the Asian series promoted by the ACO in conjunction with SRO Motorsports Group.
The calendar
2023-2024 marked the return to East Asia with the Sepang round, which will once again open the 2024-2025 season, with two races on the track in Malaysia. Dubai and Abu Dhabi will complete the program, again with two races at each meeting, adding a race in Dubai. No date conflict will occur with the 24 Hours of Daytona, the first IMSA event, where some of the Asian Le Mans Series teams compete.
Asian Le Mans Series 2024-2025 Calendar
December 6-8: Sepang
February 7-9: Dubai
February 14-16: Abu Dhabi
The circuits
Sepang is certainly well known for F1, but endurance and GT are an integral part of the history of the Malaysian track. We can particularly think of the 12 Hours of Sepang, which counted a time for the Intercontinental GT Challenge, but also of the GT World Challenge Asia. The route joined the Asian Le Mans Series calendar in 2013 until 2020 before returning in 2023.
The circuit near Kuala Lumpur airport was built in 1998, before its inauguration in March 1999. extends over 5.543 km, has 15 turns with two very long straights in its last part. Also pay attention to the weather, which can be extreme and trap many competitors.
© Sepang Circuit
Dubai and Abu Dhabi arrived in the Asian Le Mans Series during the Covid-19 period in 2021 to allow the championship to take place while the Asian circuits were no longer accessible with the various restrictions. Dubai has hosted the 24-hour event every year since 2006, with the GT3 in the main class.
The circuit has a development of 5,390 km, with 17 turns. After a first winding section, the second sector sees the tempo accelerate, notably with the long straight and the heavy braking towards turn 10.
© Dubai Autodrome
Abu Dhabi recently served as the setting for an Intercontinental GT Challenge round, without forgetting the F1 Grand Prix which usually concludes the seasons since 2009. 5.554 km long in its original configuration, the circuit was redesigned in 2021, to now stretch over 5.281 km with 16 turns. Its long straight and the heavy braking of turn 6 offer real overtaking possibilities.
© Yas Marina Circuit
This without forgetting that the FIA GT went to Dubai between 2004 and 2006, the FIA GT1 going to Abu Dhabi in 2010 and 2011.
Those involved
42 cars are expected for the first event of the year at Sepang, while 44 cars, between LMP2, LMP3 and GT3, were announced when the entry list was revealed. Absent are the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO – Triple Eight and the No. 52 Ferrari 296 GT3 – AF Corse, while Inter Europol Competition added a Ligier JS P320 in LMP3.
The premier category will once again be well supplied in terms of competitiveness. Algarve Pro Racing will be back with a pair of Oreca 07s. Nielsen Racing, DKR Engineering, Proton Competition (x2), AF Corse (x2) and Inter Europol Competition will also be there.
Two new features should be noted with the presence of an LMP2 for Pure Rxcing which we were used to seeing in GT until now. RD Limited, the structure of Romain Dumas, will also make its debut in LMP2 with an Oreca 07.
As for LMP3, which does not give the slightest invitation for the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, Graff Racing, RLR MSport, Bretton Racing, Ultimate, Inter Europol Competition and High Class Racing will battle it out. The entire field will be equipped with Ligier JS P320s.
Diversity will be essential in GT, with six manufacturers: Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes and Porsche. Aston Martin will be able to count on EBM – Earl Bamber’s team – and Blackthorn, who will run in Vantage GT3. Four Ferrari 296 GT3s for AF Corse, without forgetting those of Carguy Racing, Kessel Racing and Absolute Racing. New Zealanders Prime Speed Sport will start in the series with a Lamborghini Huracan GT3. The McLaren camp will be represented by Optimum Motorsport, which will be in charge of two 720S GT3s.
Climax Racing (x2), GetSpeed, Winward Racing (x2), Triple Eight (x2) et 2 Seas Motorsport rouleront en Mercedes-AMG GT3. Car Collection (x2), Manthey Racing, Proton Competition (x2), Tsunami RT and the Chinese from Origine Motorsport will be at the start in a Porsche 911 GT3 R.
▶️ The entry list for Sepang
▶️ Spotter guide Sepang
Hours (FR time)
4 Hours of Sepang
December 6
Free Practice 1: 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m.
Free Practice 2: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
December 7
Qualifications : 2h50-3h05
Course 1 : 7h00-11h00
December 8
Course 2 : 7h00-11h00
Dubai / Abu Dhabi: program to be confirmed
Diffusion
If the races will once again be broadcast on YouTube via the Asian Le Mans Series channel, French spectators will be able to count on Le Mans TV Sarthe for commentary provided by Bruno Palmet and Bruno Vandestick.
▶️ Le Mans TV Sarthe
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