Alex Quinn will carry significant momentum into the third round of the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) after claiming the LMP2 Pro/Am class victory at the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans. Quinn shared the winning CrowdStrike Racing entry with George Kurtz and Laurin Heinrich, completing another major success with the team at the world’s most prestigious endurance race.
The British driver will now return to the #27 Nielsen Racing Oreca-Gibson alongside Kriton Lentoudis and James Allen at Imola. The trio enters the event after winning the previous ELMS round at Le Castellet and moving to within six points of the championship lead.
Quinn savours ‘dream come true’ 2026 Le Mans LMP2 Pro/Am victory
Quinn celebrated another memorable result alongside Kurtz, while Heinrich completed the CrowdStrike Racing line-up at La Sarthe. The trio combined outright speed with measured execution throughout the twice-round-the-clock contest. Their performance ultimately delivered the LMP2 Pro/Am class win and allowed Quinn to continue a successful period with CrowdStrike Racing.
“It really is a dream come true!” he said to the European Le Mans Series. “George and myself are really enjoying our racing together, and I am just trying to take it all in through this successful time. It’s important we enjoy it while it last and keep the momentum rolling.”
Quinn’s partnership with Kurtz has continued to produce strong results, while Heinrich added further professional speed to the Le Mans line-up. However, Quinn also emphasised the importance of appreciating their success while maintaining the approach that created it.
CrowdStrike Racing delivers faultless race
CrowdStrike Racing established its advantage during the night before adopting a controlled approach through the closing stages. Rather than chasing unnecessary pace once the crew had strengthened its position, Quinn, Kurtz and Heinrich focused on avoiding mistakes and protecting their lead. That discipline proved crucial during a race that placed sustained pressure on every driver and team.
Quinn praised his teammates for combining speed with calm decision-making throughout the event.
“The race itself was pretty much faultless,” Quinn admitted. “I must thank my two teammates who were fast, but more importantly very calm under pressure and understood the bigger picture. We stretched our legs during the night and then were able to bring it home in the later stages taking no risks.”
The result reflected a complete endurance performance. CrowdStrike Racing created an opportunity through pace during the night before managing the final hours without exposing the car to unnecessary danger.
Nielsen Racing builds ELMS momentum
Quinn now turns his attention back to the ELMS as Nielsen Racing prepares for Round 3 at Imola. The #27 crew arrives in Italy following its LMP2 Pro/Am victory at Le Castellet. Quinn, Lentoudis and Allen converted their work across the opening rounds into a breakthrough result and climbed to fourth in the championship standings.
Furthermore, only six points separate the Nielsen Racing trio from the class leaders. Another strong result at Imola could therefore move the crew firmly into the championship fight.
Quinn believes the team can contend again by maintaining the same preparation and mindset that delivered victory in France.
“It was great to also grab a win with Nielsen and the team. We have put in a lot of hard work during the weekends together. So it was nice to see the reward. If we can continue the same approach and mindset, I believe we can once again be in the mix in Imola, a track I really enjoy!”
Nielsen Racing must now build on that result at a circuit where track position, traffic management and strategy can quickly change the order.
Previous Imola success raises expectations
Quinn and Lentoudis already hold a strong record at Imola. The pair claimed the class victory in 2024 before returning to the podium one year later. Those results give them confidence as they pursue another major points haul at the Italian circuit.
However, Quinn knows that past success will not guarantee another victory. Nielsen Racing must execute every detail correctly, particularly during strategic phases of the race.
“Kriton and myself have had a podium and a win in the last two years at Imola,” he said. “We just need to focus on the details and execute as we have done previously to fight for the win. Strategy is important at Imola, so this will be key in the race.
“I really like Imola, I enjoy the intense nature and high speed corners. There is no room for error and exciting in traffic! I can’t wait to get on track and experience all this again!”
Imola’s narrow layout and high-speed sections punish mistakes, while traffic can complicate every stint. As a result, Nielsen Racing must balance aggression with patience as the different classes interact around the circuit.
Quinn targets another step in ELMS title fight after LMP2 Pro/Am success at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans
Quinn enters the Imola weekend with victories in two major endurance events behind him. His Le Mans triumph with CrowdStrike Racing underlined his ability to perform on the sport’s biggest stage, while the Le Castellet result placed Nielsen Racing within reach of the ELMS LMP2 Pro/Am championship lead.
The #27 crew can now strengthen its title challenge at a venue where Quinn and Lentoudis have repeatedly achieved success. Nevertheless, the team must reproduce the disciplined execution that defined both recent victories.
With only six points separating Nielsen Racing from the championship leaders, Imola presents another important opportunity. Quinn will aim to convert his confidence, circuit knowledge and Le Mans momentum into a second consecutive ELMS class win.
