Le Mans is in the air +++ Successful LMP2 test in Belgium +++ Top of the table from race one +++ One of the most successful Foundation drivers in 2021 +++ Another highlight to end the year
Le Mans is in the air
Niklas Krütten will be making a guest appearance in the Michelin Le Mans Cup (MLMC) at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Together with France’s Mathieu de Barbuat, the 18-year-old will be driving a Ligier JS P320 for COOL Racing at the “Road to Le Mans”. The Swiss team is competing with two cars throughout the MLMC season and will also be racing a third car at the classic endurance event in France. A total of 46 cars with 92 drivers from 21 countries will be starting this special event on the 13.6-kilometre La Sarthe circuit. Two races will take place, each lasting 55 minutes: the first is on Thursday evening (19th August) and the second on Saturday afternoon (21st August), just a few hours before the start of the 89th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Successful LMP2 test in Belgium
Together with his COOL Racing team from the European Le Mans Series, Niklas Krütten tested a LMP2 prototype for the first time at the start of August, on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. The 18-year-old was thrilled to be driving an Oreca 07 around the circuit in the Belgian Ardennes: “Testing went really well and I had a lot of fun. The car is completely different to an LMP3 car. It has more power, significantly more downthrust and feels more like an open-wheel car. I was able to get used to it really quickly and each outing was a learning experience. The team and I were very happy with my lap times. I hope that I will be able to do some more LMP2 testing soon.”
Top of the table from race one
In the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), Niklas Krütten has been demonstrating his skills since race one, delivering a great series of consistent performances that are certainly paying off. The 18-year-old moved to the top of the table with his two team-mates at the season-opener in Spain and has not relinquished that position since. After wins in Barcelona and Spielberg, a second place in Le Castellet and a fourth place in Monza, he and his COOL Racing team from Switzerland remain atop the standings in the LMP3 class. They are 13 points clear of their closest rivals. There are two races remaining for the drivers to score important championship points: the next event will take place from 17th-19th September in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). The season finale takes place on 24th October in Portimão (Portugal).
One of the most successful Foundation drivers in 2021
Since 2019, Niklas Krütten has been one of the talented young drivers supported by the ADAC Sport Foundation, and is one of the most successful drivers in the current season. In 2021, the ADAC Sport Foundation is supporting a total of 24 young sportspersons, including the native of Trier as the only prototype driver in the group. Niklas Krütten: “It is fantastic to receive this support from the foundation, it’s a good feeling. It costs a lot of money to get started on a career in motor racing. Anyone with any experience of this area knows how quickly the costs add up. It is important to receive support in any form, it’s a massive help. I am delighted that they have placed their trust in me and I am extremely grateful to all my sponsors.”
Another highlight to end the year
Niklas Krütten has already completed two races in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2021, and he will appear in another before the year is out – and a very special one at that: together with the United Autosports Team, he will be competing in the legendary Motul Petit Le Mans. The IMSA season finale will take place from 11th to 13th November at Road Atlanta. Krütten is also driving in the LMP3 class in the USA, having made his debut across the pond at the Sebring 12-hour race in March. In his second race around three months later, the “Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen”, the team reached pole position in qualifying. The team then finished the race in fifth position.