TEAM NEWS: Champions CrowdStrike Racing by APR and George Kurtz set for Asian Le Mans return
Kurtz, Deletraz and Jakobsen Team Up for 2025/26 Season
Former Champions CrowdStrike Racing by APR and George Kurtz are set to return to the Asian Le Mans Series in 2025-26.
Seizing the 2023-24 Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 Teams and Drivers Trophies made Algarve Pro Racing a four-time title-winner, adding to the championships achieved in 2016-17, 2019-20 and 2021, as well as the ‘Gentleman’s Trophy’ it won in 2017-18.
As Champions, CrowdStrike Racing by APR earned an automatic invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but it was passed back to championship organiser Automobile Club de l’Ouest so it could be utilised by another team, as Kurtz had already secured an entry by winning IMSA’s Jim Trueman Bronze Cup in 2023.
This year, CrowdStrike Racing and Kurtz resumed their IMSA LMP2 programme and will once again expand their reach to the Asian continent, this time with professional drivers Malthe Jakobsen and Louis Delétraz.
“I took a lot of enjoyment from my first Asian Le Mans experience and really missed being on the grid last season,” said Kurtz. “I’m delighted CrowdStrike Racing by APR will be back in 2025-26 and, looking ahead, the intention is to win once again. We know we have the tools to get the job done, having already achieved so much in Asia, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and at Le Mans.
“It felt fantastic to win the 2023-24 Asian Le Mans Series after overcoming quite a lot of adversity over the course of the season. There were a few ups and downs, but CrowdStrike Racing never gave up while in some precarious positions and came away with two race wins, the LMP2 championship titles and a second automatic entry to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
Delétraz said: “I’m very excited to be joining CrowdStrike Racing by APR for the 2025-26 Asian Le Mans Series, especially as I’ll be sharing a car with two very talented drivers in George (Kurtz) and Malthe (Jakobsen). We have a really strong and exciting line-up and, although I have competed in the Asian Le Mans Series for the past two years, it’s the only title I’m yet to win in LMP2. I am super keen to add it to my CV!
“I really enjoy the experience of racing in Asia, as the calendar includes some exciting circuits and the level has never been higher, with an entry full of high-profile pro drivers and fast Bronzes. Of course, drivers always want to win, but you can only do that if the stars are aligned, so it’s up to us drivers to work together from coaching and car setup perspectives to ensure we get the most from the package. I really like George and Malthe, and I believe we have the potential to do well.”
Jakobsen said: “CrowdStrike Racing by APR and I are back-to-back Champions and to return to the Asian Le Mans Series with such a strong driver line-up will be absolutely incredible. The team has proven to be one of the strongest and the car has been super competitive, so I don’t see why we can’t be a frontrunner again.
“Louis (Delétraz) is very talented and experienced in Asia and George (Kurtz) also knows the tracks, so getting up to speed and in the right zone from the beginning will be slightly easier than previous seasons. However, the entry is high-calibre, so we must remain humble and avoid getting overly confident. If we focus on ourselves and work as hard as we always do, the rest should come.”
