Bitter end to the season for Matteo Cairoli in ELMS

The sixth and final round of the 2024 European Le Mans Series took place at the Portuguese circuit of Portimao. Matteo Cairoli took part in the event with the Oreca 07 LMP2 – Gibson of the Iron Lynx – Proton #9 team, alongside Jonas Ried and Maceo Capietto. Qualifying was entrusted to the Como driver, who managed to secure the eighth position in a very tight classification, thanks to his time of 1:31.481.

The team chose to repeat the same strategy as the previous round at Mugello, starting with Ried and leaving Cairoli the task to finish the race. The German faced the first part of the race trying to maintain the position obtained in qualifying. Thanks to numerous safety car periods, the team managed to stick in the leading group. Unfortunately, Capietto had to serve a drive-through for exceeding track limits, dropping to 13th position. Therefore, Matteo Cairoli had to seek a difficult comeback in the final part of the race. Thanks to an excellent pace and some splendid overtakes, the Italian managed to climb back up to ninth place in LMP2 class, just under 20 seconds behind the winner.

Thus ended the first season of the European Le Mans Series in the prototype class for Matteo Cairoli. A season full of ups and downs, closed with eighth place in the standings with 36 points, and also a wonderful victory obtained in his home race at Mugello.

Matteo Cairoli
“I am very glad to have participated in this season with the Iron Lynx – Proton team, whom I thank for their support throughout the year. We grew together with my teammates Jonas and Maceo, who proved to be fast and competitive drivers, despite their little experience. From this year, I will certainly carry with me the memory of the victory and especially the pole position set at Mugello, where we had a perfect race”.