This year’s European Le Mans Series LMP3 champions CLX Motorsport had a difficult start to the season, but when 18-year-old Louis Iglesias joined mid-season, they returned to their ‘almost’ unbeaten form from last year. After he showed his pace, CLX rewarded him with a test in LMP2 machinery during the rookie test on Sunday. A step up seems likely, as current CLX LMP2 driver Ian Aguilera was spotted at United Autosports receiving a tour and confirmed to GT REPORT that he would be with them on Monday for testing.
Iglesias delivers while staying grounded
The French ELMS debutant and rookie of the year Louis Iglesias received compliments from his experienced teammate Paul Lanchere earlier this weekend when he spoke to GT REPORT about the impact he had made on the team. However, the youngster stayed humble after dominating qualifying on Friday and putting the car on pole ahead of the season finale in Portimão. On Saturday, he won the race with his teammates and claimed the championship.
“It was teamwork, the car was really good and we all had to deliver. The race itself was all about managing and making no mistakes.”
Before the 18-year-old stepped into the LMP3 line-up from the Swiss-based team’s academy, he had been gaining experience with ANS Motorsport in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. On his debut in round three of the higher-level ELMS championship, he was on the pace from the very first minute, claiming pole position and crossing the line first at Imola.
CLX had scored only 14 points in the two rounds before his arrival. From then on, the team went on to score two pole positions, two wins and one second-place finish in the following three rounds. Having shown his worth in the back-to-back LMP3 championship-winning team, he was rewarded for it on Sunday.
“I’m really excited to test the LMP2. The target is just to enjoy it and let’s see what we can do.”
Aguilera’s United visit hints at CLX LMP2 shake-up
During Sunday’s rookie test, while the newly crowned champion was getting his miles in the more powerful CLX machinery, one other thing caught our eye.
The team’s #37 LMP2 drivers Theodor Jensen, Adrien Closmenil and Ian Aguilera made history together by becoming the youngest line-up to compete in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. Of the three, Aguilera was seen being given a tour at United Autosports.
After gathering information in the paddock, GT REPORT followed up on that and asked the 19-year-old Mexican directly: “Is it true that you will test with United tomorrow?”
He replied: “Yes, I will be with them.”
With various things happening, changes to CLX Motorsport’s LMP2 line-up for next season seem very likely.
