COOL Racing will expand its European Le Mans Series programme in 2021, continuing in LMP2 with the Oreca 07 and entering a Ligier JS P320 in LMP3 as well.
The LMP2 drivers will remain the same with Nicolas Lapierre teaming up alongside Alexandre Coigny and Antonin Borga for a third consecutive season together. Aiming to build on a promising 2020 campaign, the primary focus is on the new Pro-Am championship.
After a strong Michelin Le Mans Cup effort in 2020, COOL Racing has decided to make the step up to ELMS LMP3 in 2021. Nicolas Maulini was a key part of the team last year, scoring two victories and four pole positions while battling for the title. Further details on the #19 crew will be announced in due course.
2021 will be the first year COOL Racing is run independently, under the management of the Coigny/Lapierre-owned CLX Motorsport.
Nicolas Lapierre, Managing Director and driver #37 Oreca 07: “I am delighted to continue the adventure with Alex and Antonin, this season will be our third as a trio in ELMS so we have a lot of experience together. Our target for 2021 is the new Pro-Am championship, it will be tough, but I believe we can achieve it. The ELMS calendar is exciting and we have strengthened our technical team. We are going to work very hard over the winter to make sure we are well prepared, and we will do our best so we can challenge for the Pro-Am title.
“The LMP3 ELMS programme is a new project for COOL Racing. It is a very competitive championship. We are delighted to have Nicolas Maulini as a bronze driver in the crew, we know he is fast and rarely makes mistakes. We are very happy and excited to enter a Ligier JS P320 and we cannot wait to be at the official test in April. We will announce the full line-up shortly and we have big hopes for this season.”
Alex Coigny, #37 Oreca 07: “I am delighted to continue in LMP2 with Nico and Antonin and our objective will be to fight for the Pro-Am ELMS LMP2 title. The year will be a great challenge for the team on the technical and logistical side, but we are going to work hard and make sure this season goes as well as possible.”
Antonin Borga, #37 Oreca 07: “I am extremely pleased to continue with COOL Racing, I am very lucky to be able to do another ELMS season in LMP2 as the level of competition is extremely high. I hope for more normal race meetings this year, as COVID-19 complicated things for everyone in 2020. Nico, Alex and I have a good feeling together and we make a great team.”
Nicolas Maulini, #19 Ligier JS P320: “After two seasons in Michelin Le Mans Cup, and a few races in ELMS LMP3 last year, my objective was to move up full time to that category with COOL Racing. I really enjoyed our achievements together and I am happy that we have found an agreement for this season. I am used to the team management and their working methods, and I know the season will go well. I cannot wait for these four-hour races. We will be targeting strong results, with podiums or even more in 2021.”
COOL Racing’s plans for the Michelin Le Mans Cup and Ligier European Series will be announced soon.
Source. SAS CLX MOTORSPORT/Photo. Matthias Schrütt/racefilm
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