Paul di Resta seals Asian LMP2 title 24 | 02 | 2019
BATHGATE’S PAUL DI RESTA has clinched the 2018/19 Asian Le Mans Championship after securing a fourth successive podium in the Sepang season finale. (Related: Di Resta to lead Aston Martin assault on DTM)
Sharing the United Autosports Ligier LMP2 sportscar with Englishman Phil Hanson, the 32-year-old Scot finished second in the season-ending Malaysian race.
The duo had previously finished second in the opening two rounds of the season at Shanghai and Fuji, before scoring their maiden victory at Buriram in January.
That meant they started the final race of the year leading their nearest rival — the No24 Algarve Pro Ligier trio of Harrison Newey, Andrea Pizzitola and Ate Dirk De Jong — by 18 points.
After qualifying second, Di Resta and Hanson soon found themselves promoted into the lead after the polesitting Spirit of Race Ligier received a drive-through penalty for a jump start. (Related: Paul di Resta storms to Brands Hatch win)
And while the No24 Algarve crew eased themselves into the lead during the first safety car period, the second-place finish was enough for Di Resta and Hanson to seal the title.
"Four very different races, one win and three second places, means we've accomplished what we needed to do,” the Scot said today. “It’s terrific to have won the title.”
Ex-Formula 1 racer and 2010 DTM champ Di Resta — whose Sepang win secured the team a Le Mans entry — will now switch his concentration to developing the new Aston Martin he will race in this year’s DTM Championship.
Related: Di Resta bags first DTM win of 2018
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Jim McGill