The Next Chapter Begins in Sepang for Theodor Jensen
Reigning ALMS and ELMS LMP3 Champion Moves up to LMP2
Since the first Asian Le Mans Series race in Sepang last December Theodor Jensen has become the latest rising star of endurance racing after an impressive run in LMP3 in Asia and Europe.
After the 19-year-old Dane secured the Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 title with Bretton Racing in February, he took part in the annual Road To Le Mans event, racing on the full 13.6km La Sarthe circuit with CLX Motorsport, winning the first of the two 60-minute races with Adrien Closmenil.
He then concluded his European Le Mans Series campaign in October, winning the LMP3 title with Paul Lanchere, Adrien Closmenil and CLX Motorsport with a record-breaking points score of 130 out of a possible 156, taking five wins from six starts, with five pole positions for the team, including two claimed personally by Jensen.
Now the Danish driver from Randers in Central Denmark is embarking on the next stage of his career, teaming up with fellow ALMS LMP3 champions Jens Reno Moller and former FIA WEC LMP2 World Champion Gustavo Menezes at High Class Racing, joining a 16-car strong LMP2 field for the 2025/26 Asian Le Mans Series.
Q. How would you sum up the last 12-months in LMP3?
Theodor Jensen: “Obviously, it's been a really good season; it couldn't really be better in terms of results, I would say it was a bit unexpected. Well, first of all, in the Asian Le Mans Series, I really didn't expect that we were going to win, especially after the first round in Sepang. Then we changed silver drivers to Griffin (Peebles); we probably couldn't have won the title without him.
“Then also in the ELMS, I was not expecting that we were going to win by such a big margin this much. After the first round, I obviously saw the potential that we had to really win most of the races. The whole CLX Motorsport team did an amazing job, both in improving my driving, improving all of our driving, and also the car was just phenomenal and was really quick all season.”
Q. Now that you are embarking on the next stage of the LMP ladder with High Class Racing in LMP2, how important a step is LMP3 in the career path structure? What skills have you learned in LMP3 that will stand you in good stead in LMP2?
TJ: “LMP3 is a really nice car to drive and is also fun. It teaches you the basics and, for me, it is the way to get into endurance, because, before that, I was in single seaters. So LMP3 was my first step in endurance.
“This year it's been about learning the things in a four hour race. Things like that the driver changes need to be really good. You need to be good and to not make any mistakes. It's not all about just being super-fast in one or two laps. Obviously, you have to do that in qualifying, but the race is very different.
“It's been good to learn in the LMP3 class about the endurance and how to manage the races and stuff like that. So, hopefully next year, I will know everything about that.”
Q. You tested an LMP2 Oreca-Gibson at Portimao after the end of the ELMS season. What are the main differences between the LMP3 you’ve been racing all season and the LMP2 car you will be racing in Sepang in December?
TJ: “A lot of people say LMP2 is easier to drive, and, you know, I can now understand that view a little bit. It's faster and it has more downforce, so it feels more stable. However, it's just the pure speed; the way it feels for the driver is so much more aggressive and faster that your brain must think a lot faster. So instead of you having ten seconds on the straight, now you have seven seconds to think on the straight.
“You also have to be very smooth and precise with the inputs. And if you get a bit of movement, it's not hard to catch, but you will lose time.”
Q: How did the deal with High Class Racing come about and does the fact the team is Danish make you feel right at home?
TJ: “I'm racing with Jens, who I raced with last year. We have a good relationship and we're ready to fight together and with High Class.
“We were talking with CLX to come out to Asia, but that didn't happen for some reason, so we went with High Class as we know Anders Fjordbach, and we knew that Jens was in the car. And then we have a really good pro driver in Gustavo, who has a lot of experience in the car.
“For me, it's not that important that the team is Danish, but it's still cool.”
Q: Your teammates this season will be Jens Reno Moller and Gustavo Menezes. You obviously know your fellow Dane and reigning ALMS LMP3 Champion Jens after winning the title with him last season. How do you feel about racing alongside him again?
TJ: “I’m looking forward to working with Jens because we know he has good speed and very consistent. Last year he was one of the better bronzes, so hopefully we'll do the same this year.”
Q: How well do you know Gustavo? Have you raced with him before and what are you looking forward to the most working with him this season?
TJ: “This is the first time I have worked with Gustavo. He has a lot of experience, and he will be good for me and Jens to learn from him.”
Q: Looking forward to the first race in Malaysia. What are your thoughts about racing again in Sepang? What do you like about the track, and do you have a favourite corner or corners?
TJ: “Sepang is a really cool track. I would say it's very, very hot and humid, so that's the not so nice thing about it, but the track is really nice and fun. I like Turn 1, the long one is really, it's really a cool corner and not so common which is cool because you don't see them anywhere else.”
Q: The LMP2 field has expanded to 16 entries this year. What are your thoughts about the opposition you will face this season?
TJ: “Honestly, I think that the Asian Le Mans Series will be a harder grid this year than in the ELMS, just because of all the pros that will be there. So, it will be maybe a bit harder, or at least the same level as the ELMS. It's going to be really good competition, and it will be good to see where I am speed wise to start with; then, hopefully, I can improve on that quickly.”
