James Allen will return to Nielsen Racing for the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) as the team strengthens its challenge in the LMP2 Pro/Am category. The Australian driver will join Alex Quinn and Kriton Lentoudis in the #27 Oreca. Together, the trio will aim to build on Nielsen Racing’s recent success and compete for the championship after two consecutive runner-up finishes.
Allen also returns after playing an important role in the team’s strongest ELMS campaign to date. Therefore, Nielsen Racing will enter the new season with a proven driver combination and clear title ambitions.
Allen returns after a successful season
Allen rejoined Nielsen Racing following an impressive 2025 European Le Mans Series campaign.
He helped the team secure its first victory of the season at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet at Circuit Paul Ricard. That breakthrough result became the defining moment of the campaign and contributed significantly to the team’s second-place championship finish.
Furthermore, Allen ended the season with another podium at Portimão. His strong conclusion reinforced his value to the programme and gave Nielsen Racing further confidence ahead of 2026.
As a result, the team chose continuity as it prepared another title challenge.
Le Castellet victory marks a major breakthrough
Nielsen Racing achieved a significant milestone when Allen helped the team win at Le Castellet.
The result demonstrated the team’s ability to convert competitive pace into victory. Moreover, it strengthened Nielsen Racing’s position in the championship and helped secure its best overall ELMS result.
That victory also showed Allen’s effectiveness within the team’s endurance racing structure. He contributed to the performance across a demanding four-hour contest and helped the squad maximise an important opportunity.
Consequently, his return gives Nielsen Racing a driver who already understands its engineering approach, strategic methods and competitive expectations.
Quinn and Lentoudis provide proven continuity
Allen will share the #27 Oreca with Quinn and Lentoudis, who have already established themselves as regular title contenders.
The pair finished second in the LMP2 Pro/Am championship in both 2024 and 2025. In addition, they secured two victories during each of those campaigns.
Their consistent results have placed Nielsen Racing among the category’s leading teams. However, the squad has narrowly missed the championship in successive seasons.
Therefore, Allen’s arrival could provide the final element the team needs to convert its recent consistency into a title-winning campaign.
Nielsen Racing assembles an experienced line-up
Nielsen Racing has created a balanced driver line-up for the 2026 season.
Allen contributes recent experience with the team and enters the campaign after a race-winning year. Meanwhile, Quinn and Lentoudis offer continuity after completing two highly competitive seasons together.
This combination should allow the team to begin the campaign with an established understanding between its drivers and technical personnel. It should also reduce the adjustment period that often accompanies a revised line-up.
Moreover, the trio already knows how to compete near the front of the LMP2 Pro/Am field. Nielsen Racing must now maintain that level across the full season.
Championship success becomes the next objective
Nielsen Racing has finished as the championship runner-up during each of the previous two seasons.
Although those results underline the team’s consistency, they also increase the pressure to take the next step. The squad has already demonstrated that it can win races and remain in title contention.
However, a championship campaign demands strong performances at every round. The team must limit mistakes, maximise points on difficult weekends and capitalise when victory becomes possible.
Allen’s return strengthens that effort because he brings recent knowledge of the programme and experience from its best championship finish.
The #27 Oreca prepares for another title challenge
Nielsen Racing will enter the 2026 ELMS season with one of the category’s most experienced and competitive line-ups.
Allen returns after contributing to a breakthrough victory and a second-place championship finish. Meanwhile, Quinn and Lentoudis will continue their partnership after winning four races across the previous two seasons.
Together, the three drivers will aim to turn Nielsen Racing’s recent progress into championship success.
The team has already established itself as a consistent LMP2 Pro/Am contender. Now, it will seek to move beyond consecutive runner-up finishes and place the #27 Oreca at the top of the standings.
