ELMS – Karim Ajlani returns with ART Grand Prix

Karim Ajlani is returning to competition this season after spending four years away from the circuits. The 38-year-old Swiss-Syrian will play the full season ofELMS on a McLaren ART Grand Prix MP4-12C GT3 entered in GTC alongside Ricardo Gonzalez and Alex Brundle. The new recruit of Frédéric Vasseur's team will play alongside experienced drivers since the Mexican won last year in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2 and that he won the category title with Oak Racing where the Briton also competes.

Oak Racing also welcomed Karim Ajlani in 2009 when the latter competed in the LMP2 category of the Le Mans Series. “2014 represents a new chapter in my journey; I'm going to discover a new team, drive a new car, and race in a new category! », comments the Syrian. “Driving a GT is significantly different from that of an LMP2, particularly in terms of braking and aero. That said, the basics remain the same and I can count on ART, a perfectly established structure, to accelerate my adaptation. »

After discovering the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 during a private test session carried out last month in Estoril (Portugal), Karim Ajlani is continuing his learning by participating in the official ELMS tests which are currently taking place at Paul Ricard. “I only draw positive things from my first contacts with the team. I will now work hard to progress and get into the rhythm quickly. My goal is to perform good stints, consistently, and without making any mistakes, to be able to play the leading roles in the GTC category. I'm very happy to be part of this adventure and can't wait for the season to start. »