The Angolan driver started the 2021 season in the Asian Le Mans Series, making his sports car debut with G-Drive Racing by APR after three years in single-seaters. Andrade quickly adapted to the new challenge, taking three podiums in four races, showing impressive pace and he’s looking forward to continuing his LMP2 journey with the Portuguese team
“Making my endurance racing debut in an LMP2 car in such a competitive championship has been a steep learning curve,” – said the Visit Angola ambassador. “I had to learn a lot of new skills in a short time, such as pit stops, driver changes, and having to share the car with my teammates. However, the team gave me all the support I needed to make the transition to endurance racing as smooth as possible. I can’t wait to carry on with the work we started.”
43 cars will be on the 2021 ELMS grid, including sixteen LMP2 machines, with extremely high level of competition, offering a clear path to the FIA World Endurance Championship and the infamous 24 Hours of Le Mans – the pinnacle of endurance racing.
The 2021 ELMS calendar will comprise six 4-hour races across Europe. Andrade will represent Angola on some of the greatest tracks in the world, including Monza, the iconic Spa-Francorchamps, and three further F1 circuits.
Rui will contest the championship in the team’s No. 25 Aurus 01, which he will share with ASLMS teammate John Falb and Pietro Fittipaldi – the grandson of two-time F1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi.
“I’m really looking forward to race alongside John (Falb) again, continuing what we’ve started in Asia.” – said Andrade. “We have a solid platform to build on, and Pietro (Fittipaldi) is a great addition to the team because he’s fast and experienced. The primary objective is to win the Pro-Am class, to achieve outright podiums would be incredible for the entire team.”
The opening round of the European Le Mans Series season takes place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on April 18.
