Robert Kubica is heading to Portimao with teammate Louis Deletraz and Jonny Edgar at the head of the LMP2 championship standings, with a six-point advantage going into the final race of the season on Saturday 19 October.
The Polish driver will be looking to secure his second ELMS LMP2 title, having previously won in 2021 alongside his current teammate Louis Deletraz, who will be going for his third title in four years, and Chinese driver Yifei Yi, who he races with in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship.
However, with the level of the competition in the top class, and the fact that five different cars have won in the previous five races this year, he and his AO by TF teammates are taking nothing for granted as they prepare for the season finale, the 4 Hours of Portimao.
Q: With just 6-points between yourselves and Inter Europol Competition and 15 points ahead of Panis Racing, it is very close in the final race of the season.What would it mean to you to win the overall ELMS title for the second time this weekend?
RK: “Winning such a competitive championship will be a great achievement. We have seen throughout the year, that competition has been on highest level, I think, ever, in the ELMS.
“It's a big challenge for us going to Portimao, of course, six points in front of the closest rival is not a big advantage, but it's still better being six points in front than six points behind. So, we will have to try to make it work and to finish the championship in front.”
Q: With one eye on the championship, will you be approaching this race any differently from the previous races of 2024 season?
RK: “Well, I think in our situation there is really no difference on the approach, we have to maximise our potential. We must make sure we'll be competitive as we are coming from Mugello, where I think we're lacking overall performance.
“So, for sure, if, we'll be performing better, this will make our life easier. But in endurance races, we know that you cannot be sure of the final result until you pass the chequered flag.
“Everything can happen, and the approach will have to remain exactly the same as through all the year to focus on our work, to focus on ourselves, and then we will see.”
Q: You finished second with Louis in the 2021 4 Hours of Portimao in your championship winning season. What are your thoughts on the circuit at Portimao and what is your favourite part / corner on the track?
RK: “We raced there in 2021, in the ELMS, and last year in the WEC with Louis, the track is very familiar.A lot of people have been racing there and testing there. So, all in all, I think it will be super competitive and a very close battle.
“Regarding the track, it is a favourite of a lot of drivers. It has some nice up and down sections, some difficult blind corners. So, I think those ones are the most challenging. Of course, as always, things which are most challenging, you like more. If you get them right, of course.
“I think, a complex track where it's very difficult to make everything work, and it's very demanding on the drivers and on the on the cars.”
The 4 Hours of Portimao is Round 6 of the 2024 European Le Mans Series and will take place on Saturday 19 October, with qualifying for the final race of the season on Friday 18 October.
