The 2021 European Le Mans Series season proved to be very challenging for the #24 Algarve Pro Racing squad. Even though there were clear signs of great pace throughout the season, they had the potential to achieve more and luck wasn’t on their side in most of the races. However, to prove once again that it ain’t over till it’s over, Habsburg, alongside Richard Bradley and Sophia Flörsch conquered the podium at the season finale.
In a nail-biting qualifying, Ferdinand put the Drive Fast, Act Faster Oreca 07 on the front row, after dominating the session almost all the way through, finishing in P2, only 0.177s behind the pole setter.
Bradley took the start in the #24 Algarve Pro car and made a clean getaway, challenging Milesi for the lead until the race came to a halt due to a heavy accident at the pit entry. After a 20-minute red flag period, the 4 Hours of Portimao got underway again, and even though the Englishman executed the restart perfectly, he still couldn’t catch the frontrunner and held onto P2 until he passed the baton to Flörsch. The latest addition to the #24 squad adapted to the new environment brilliantly and had a very strong run. She handed the wheel to Ferdinand in P3 with just over one hour left on the clock and the Austrian didn’t disappoint. After rejoining the race in P9, he carved his way back up to third with an impeccable drive, challenging the WRT car for P2 until the checkered flag fell.
“This feels like a win after all the hardships we’ve been through this year. I’ve never doubted the team’s potential and we just proved what we are capable of. It’s a shame that the season is already over because we’ve been just getting started. I am thrilled to have scored the first podium with our Drive Fast Act Faster car. It was the perfect way to end the first season of our movement. Big thanks to Stewart and Sam for everything. And a special thanks to Richard, Sophia and Diego. You made this ELMS season special.”
Ferdinand is already on his way to Bahrain, for the FIA WEC double-header season finale with Team WRT. He is currently sitting in P2 in the championship only one point off from P1 with 65 points up for grabs.