Defending LMP3 European Le Mans Series champions COOL Racing / CLX Motorsport plans to try to retain their title with an all-new trio in their Ligier JS P320.
Mexican driver Alex Garcia and Argentinian driver Marcos Siebert will be joined by Frenchman Adrien Chila to form an international crew that combines youth and experience.
Two wins, two podiums, and six poles allowed COOL Racing / CLX Motorsport to clinch its first title in 2022 at the end of the 4 Hours of Portimao, with Mo Smith, Michael Benham, and Malthe Jakobsen. The team plans to enter the European Le Mans Series again next year in both LMP2 and LMP3 classes.
In the LMP3 class, new faces will be at the wheel of the #17 car.
Having achieved podiums in NACAM F4 and Euroformula Open, Alex Garcia will be making his endurance debut. The 19-year-old Mexican driver will be supported by 26-year-old Argentinian driver Marcos Siebert, who has a wealth of experience. He has clinched one Italian F4 Championship title, secured wins and podiums in Euroformula Open and Spanish F3, and has taken to the track as part of GT4 and LMP3 races before.
The two South American competitors will be joined by Adrien Chila, who is used to competing in the LMP3 class. Indeed the Frenchman has taken part in the ELMS and the Michelin Le Mans Cup on a regular basis, having achieved several successes (including the 2019 Road To Le Mans) and podiums.
Team Principal Nicolas Lapierre: “This 2022 season was particularly competitive and will remain special to us because it was the team’s first title. Now we’ve got to defend it, which is easier said than done. But we’re going to try our best with this new ambitious trio. It’s a different approach, with two young drivers coming from single-seater racing and one experienced driver. We need to give them a bit of time to adapt, but the first tests they’ve done together so far have definitely been positive. The drivers already get on really well. We can feel that they’re really committed and motivated. Mo, Michael, and Malthe have paved the way to success. Our goals and ambitions remain the same: we want to continue to progress year after year, do a good job in terms of preparation and execution… and win in a class that promises more competitive than ever!”
Alex Garcia: “This is a new step in my career and I could expect better than starting it with the defending team champion. This is a new challenge, with many things to discover and, obviously, a very different type of racing than what I am used to in single seater. I know very well Marcos and it’s an important element that will allow me to begin this program in the best conditions. With him and Adrien, we make an ambitious lineup.”
Marcos Siebert: “This is great news and I am really glad to join COOL Racing! The project is exciting, we have the responsibility to defend the championship won by the team in 2022. We have all the cards in our hands to achieve this goal, now we have to make excellent work. Motivation is huge to make it happen.”
Adrien Chila: “I’m glad to join COOL Racing, Alex, and Marcos. That’s an ambitious program and I like that! The first tests did confirm my first impressions. We definitely tick a lot of boxes in terms of both technical and sporting aspects, and we could achieve a lot. They’ve got a very professional approach and that’s exactly the atmosphere I like to work in, looking to progress and to do what it’ll take to succeed and reach our goal. I’m really looking forward to the start of the season.”
In addition to the European Le Mans Series, COOL Racing / CLX Motorsport will also line up an ORECA 07 and a Ligier JS P320 in the Asian Le Mans Series and will enter the Michelin Le Mans Cup.
