2014 GP3 Series Champion and 2013 Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix winner Alex Lynn is racing for Algarve Pro Racing in the LMP2 category of 2023 European Le Mans Series and for Cadillac Racing in the Hypercar category in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The 29-year-old Londoner finished 8th overall and 5th in LMP2 at the 4 Hours of Barcelona alongside James Allen and Kyffin Simpson, but he was buoyed by the team’s performance in the opening round of the ELMS season. “I would say there are a lot of positives, but the speed of our crew and car, and the way Algarve Pro Racing executed the race were standouts. As soon as the car rolled off the truck for official testing, it was the class of the field. From there, it was just a case of honing the setup, and we were keen to not leave any stone unturned in a bid to win the race.”
While Algarve Pro Racing were competing in the LMP2 category, Lynn was on duty in the Hypercar category at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.Racing alongside Earl Bamber and Richard Westbrook, Alex Lynn finished third overall with Cadilllac Racing, so what was it like finishing so well in such a competitive year at Le Mans?
“Finishing on the podium in the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a fantastic experience, but, I can’t deny, it’s quite hard to not win when you come so close,” Alex admitted.“That being said, I was honoured to be on the overall podium at such a momentous occasion and that has only fuelled my motivation to win Le Mans one day. That will always be the dream until I tick it off.”
While he was battling away in the Hypercar class, Le Mans was also a good event for Algarve Pro Racing and his teammate James Allen in LMP2 Pro/Am, the team taking the first step of the podium. Does he think this success for the team will help with the preparations for Le Castellet?
“Without a doubt, Algarve Pro Racing’s LMP2 Pro-Am win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans will help preparations for the European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Le Castellet. To top its class at Le Mans is huge and that ‘winning mentality’ is growing within APR – the team’s sole intention is to win every time it turns up at a circuit. It’s a culture Samantha and Stewart Cox are building really well, and winning is infectious to a point where you just want to do it again and again.”
There are inevitable comparisons between Le Mans and Le Castellet as they have similar layouts wil long straights, fast flowing corners and technical sections.How does Alex Lynn compare the two tracks?
“It’s fair to compare Le Mans and Le Castellet because of their long straights and fast flowing layouts, and I really like both circuits,” he admitted. “The South of France is a beautiful part of the world and the Le Castellet track is a nice one that lends itself to great endurance races. I’m expecting it to be hot – even hotter than Le Mans – and that could cause tyres to degrade more quickly and create a few complications that might place more emphasis on strategy. It’ll certainly be intriguing.”
It's been a long three months since the first ELMS race in Barcelona. What is Alex Lynn looking forward to the most to getting back to racing in the ELMS after such a long break?
“I’m looking forward to the vibe of the European Le Mans Series paddock because, driving aside, I had a lot of fun being part of the championship and spending time with my team and teammates in Barcelona. Of course, I’m also looking forward to picking up from where Algarve Pro Racing and I left off and go for the win. I’m highly motivated knowing that’s what APR is there for.”
The 4 Hours of Le Castellet will take place on the 14-16 July and is Round 2 of the 2023 European Le Mans Series.
