Double triumph for Proton Competition: At the season finale of the European Le Mans Series in Portimao, the successful team from Ummendorf in Swabia secured the championship title in the GTE class. The drivers' championship was won by Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Gianmaria Bruni and Lorenzo Ferrari in the number 77 Porsche 911 RSR.

The title race was thrilling right to the end. After its victory in Barcelona and second places in Le Castellet and Monza, Proton Competition headed to the Portuguese Atlantic coast as the leader of the standings. However, the conditions at the Autódromo Internacional de Algarve were not easy. In the course of the four-hour race, it began to rain again and again before the sun shone again shortly afterwards. Numerous cars slid off the track.

But the drivers of car number 77 had everything under control. With calculated risk and a tactically strong performance, Christian Ried, Gianmaria Bruni and Lorenzo Ferrari drove their Porsche 911 RSR to win the title, supported by a perfect strategy of their team. In the end, a fifth place was enough for them to triumph in the hard-fought championship.

In the second Porsche 911 RSR entered by Proton Competition, Michael Fassbender (Ireland), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Zach Robichon (Canada) finished eighth. The 911 RSR of Absolute Racing, supported by Proton Competition, crossed the finish line in sixth place. The drivers of car number 18 were Andrew Hariyanto (Indonesia), Martin Rump (Estonia) and Alessio Picariello (Belgium).

For Proton Competition, it is already the fifth title win in the European Le Mans Series (formerly Le Mans Series) after 2009, 2010, 2018 and 2020. Other great successes in the history of the team, founded in 1996 by Gerold Ried, were victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 and the 1000 Miles of Sebring in 2019. In the World Endurance Championship, the team has so far enjoyed success at Spa and Monza.

Quotes after the race
Michael Ried, Team owner and Technical Director: "This title win is the perfect end to the season. The team and the drivers did everything right. Although we travelled to Portimao as championship leaders, the pressure was enormous. But all those involved dealt confidently with this not easy situation. That was a strong performance."

Christian Ried (Porsche 911 RSR #77): "With strong performances this season, we have earned the chance to win the title and used it with our second match ball. The hard work we all put into our common goal has paid off. A big thank you to the team and my fellow drivers, as well as to Porsche and all our partners for their great support."

Gianmaria Bruni (Porsche 911 RSR #77): "Congratulations to the whole team on a strong season. In Portimao, our strategy was a complete success. I am delighted about this title win and am proud that I was able to contribute to this success."

Lorenzo Ferrari (Porsche 911 RSR #77): "Winning the European Le Mans Series in my first season with Proton Competition is fantastic. I would like to thank the team and Porsche for this great opportunity."

Race result
class GTE