Asian Le Mans Series Debuts in Sepang: Key Highlights and Technical Insights
Sepang, Malaysia – The opening round of the 2025 Asian Le Mans Series (AsLMS) kicked off under bright skies at the Sepang International Circuit, showcasing a mix of familiar contenders and new entries, notably the debut of the Corvette Z06 GT3.R among several strong GT3 entries.
Race Overview:
The series saw notable participation from various manufacturers including Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and BMW, with teams arriving in force ahead of the races. GetSpeed showcased two striking Mercedes-AMG GT3 vehicles, including the visually captivating ‘Bartone Bros’ #9, which remained under a protective wrap but has already gained attention for its unique silver livery. They were joined by the all-purple #37 QMMF entry.
Porsche and Corvette Entries:
Origine Motorsport returned with their #87 Porsche 911 GT3 R, featuring a vibrant green and white livery and fielding factory driver Laurin Heinrich alongside Chinese GT stars Yuan Bo and Leo Ye Hongli.
The Corvette Z06 GT3.R made its Asian debut with four entries—two from TF Sport and two from local team JMR. Notable was the #34 Corvette of TF Sport, branded as Racing Team Turkey, featuring drivers Salih Yoluc, Charlie Eastwood, and Tom van Rumpoy. Eastwood also confirmed his continued association as a Corvette factory driver for another two years.
BMW Participation:
Team WRT fielded the only BMW M4 GT3 Evos in the grid, with the #69 car driven by Tony McIntosh, Parker Thompson, and Dan Harper, while the sister #28 car features factory driver Augusto Farfus alongside Belgian talents Fabian Duffieux and Mathieu Detry.
Driver and Team Insights:
Salih Yoluc expressed confidence in the #34 Corvette, stating, “We have a strong lineup and the car’s performance aligns with our ambitions.” Meanwhile, Eastwood emphasized his excitement over re-signing with the Corvette team, accentuating their competitive spirit in the championship.
Additional Entries:
AF Corse entered multiple cars featuring a mix of WEC and ELMS drivers. Their Ferrari 296 GT3 lineup drew interest, particularly the #21 driven by a diverse group of talent. Kessel Racing also presented two 296 GT3s, with the #15 car including drivers Dylan Medley and Memo Gidley.
Proton Competition’s #77 Porsche 911 GT3 R, featuring a notably bright pink livery, aims to make its mark in the series. The driver lineup includes Japanese competitors Bankcy and Kiyoto Fujinami, alongside newly signed Porsche driver Harry King.
Conclusion:
As the teams prepare for the upcoming races, the 2025 Asian Le Mans Series promises to deliver intense competition and showcases a diverse field of entries across its various categories. With the technical nuances continuing to evolve, the series looks to establish itself as a significant player in the Asian motorsports landscape.
For a complete entry list and further details, visit the official AsLMS website.
