Double points finishes on Asian Le Mans Series debut

A double top 10 result for 2 Seas Motorsport was an impressive way to open the Asian Le Mans Series account in Sepang, Malaysia. The driver trio of Anthony McIntosh, Parker Thompson and Ben Barnicoat combined over the two endurance events to make moves forwards from their grid spots, and delivered two strong performances against the more seasoned rivals, claiming P8 in the season opener, followed by P9 in the slightly shortened second event.

The start of the 2024-25 campaign saw 2 Seas Motorsport join a bumper grid of 25 GT3 cars, formed of highly experienced teams and drivers. Qualifying saw Anthony firmly in the mix as the grids for the weekend’s two races were set, running inside the top 10 and improving on laptimes over the short session. With times improving across the field up until the flag dropped, and with the two best times recorded being used to set the separate grids, the #96 Mercedes-AMG GT3 would start P10 for race 1, and P12 for race 2.

Back on track later that day for the opening race, Tony made an electric start, avoiding various dramas which unfolded. Quick reactions and opportunistic moves jumped the American up the order, running P4 by the close of the first lap. From here, multiple caution periods followed, which affected strategies, but the Mercedes-AMG GT3 ran well inside the top 10 as Parker Thompson took over. A string of further positions were gained, climbing as high as P3 as the pitstops played themselves out, and Ben took up the challenge for the final hour stint. Rejoining the track in a close battle, Ben worked to gain and maintain positions, defending hard but also looking to make progress. A final caution period brought the field back together as the clocked ticked down, and the team concluded the four hours in P8 to round off an impressive debut run.

The second race of the weekend started under the threat of rain, and Anthony wasted no time in making progress, once again. Gaining two positions off the start, and up to P10, he was looking extremely quick, before making contact at the end of the third lap. A resulting penalty dropped the #96 down the order temporarily, but the pace was still very strong as he worked to regain the lost time. By the end of the opening hour, the 2 Seas Motorsport entry was back running well inside the top 20, and a strategy call for the first pitstop ran the stint longer, running on clear track, and gaining further ground.

Light rain started to fall just as the first pit window opened, and several teams made the call to switch to wet tyres, but the decision was made to remain on slicks with Parker. This proved a bold gamble and, with a caution just after the midpoint of the race, he dealt extremely well with dropping grip levels as the rain continued to fall and the competition running with the more suitable tyre.

The impressive efforts by the Canadian driver saw him capitalising on the conditions and his confidence in the car, climbing as high as P5 with a bold move around the outside of turn 5. The final scheduled stop saw Parker then make way for Ben as the team made another strong strategy call, with rain now falling heavily around the full Sepang circuit. As strategies played out again, and a shuffle of the order, Ben emerged onto the track running in P9, but having switched to wets while rivals were still yet to change. With the weather worsening, his potential to gain further places was cut short as the red flags were shown with just under 50 minutes remaining. This call brought the race to a premature end, but secured the team’s second top 10 finish.

The team now heads to Abu Dhabi for the final race of 2024, as they take on the Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours this weekend. The Asian Le Mans Series recommences in the New Year, with rounds 3-4 taking place over the weekend, 8-9 February, 2025.  

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