Quinn Qually Sim Tops FP1 For Nielsen Racing

2025/26 Asian Le Mans Series: Free Practice Session Results from Sepang

Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia – Alex Quinn of Nielsen Racing dominated the opening Free Practice session for the 2025/26 Asian Le Mans Series, clocking a remarkable lap time of 1:53.362 in the #64 ORECA 07 – Gibson. This performance was achieved on his third flying lap of the 90-minute session, placing him 1.829 seconds ahead of Mathias Beche of DKR Engineering, who secured second with a time of 1:55.191 in the #3 ORECA.

Mikkel Jensen completed the top three in the #5 United Autosports ORECA, followed by Lorenzo Fluxa in the #88 Proton Competition entry and Charles Milesi in the #47 Cetilar Racing ORECA. The top six was rounded out by Proton Competition’s #22 ORECA.

In the LMP3 category, Matteo Quintarelli set the fastest time of 2:03.051 for the debuting 23Events Racing team in the #23 Ligier JS P325 – Toyota. He was closely followed by Luciano Morano of Forestier Racing by VPS, with Matus Ryba securing third place for 23Events in the #71 Ligier.

Narain Karthikeyan placed fourth in the #1 Team Virage Ligier, ahead of Vic Stevens in the sister #8 entry. Defending champions Bretton Racing, represented by Lucas Fluxa, completed the top six with the #26 Ligier.

In the GT class, Kobe Pauwels propelled the #56 Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo to the fastest time, recording a 2:07.395 on his second flying lap. Dennis Marschall was second in the #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari 296 GT3, trailing by 0.181 seconds, while Ye Hongli rounded out the podium in the #87 Origine Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R.

The session maintained a green flag throughout, allowing 46 of the 47 participants to complete at least one timed lap. Notably, the #43 Inter Europol Competition LMP2 entry encountered an alternator issue, preventing it from rejoining after an initial installation run.

Free Practice will continue later today with an additional 90-minute session scheduled to start at 16:00 MST, though rain has begun to affect conditions at the circuit.

Results Summary:

• LMP2:

  1. Alex Quinn – #64 Nielsen Racing – 1:53.362
  2. Mathias Beche – #3 DKR Engineering – 1:55.191
  3. Mikkel Jensen – #5 United Autosports

• LMP3:

  1. Matteo Quintarelli – #23 23Events Racing – 2:03.051
  2. Luciano Morano – #29 Forestier Racing by VPS
  3. Matus Ryba – #71 23Events Racing

• GT:

  1. Kobe Pauwels – #56 Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn – 2:07.395
  2. Dennis Marschall – #74 Kessel Racing
  3. Ye Hongli – #87 Origine Motorsport

This robust start sets the tone as teams prepare for the upcoming races in the Asian Le Mans Series.