Quifel ASM withdraws from LMS

Date published : 10 Aug 2011 - 15:47:41

The Quifel ASM team has withdrawn from the remainder of this year's Le Mans Series due to its poor performances earlier in the year. The Portuguese squad, which won the LMP2 title in the 2009 LMS, stepped up to the top LMP1 class this year with a Zytek, but has suffered from numerous reliability problems and did not compete at the most recent round at Imola as it attempted to rectify those issues. A statement from Antonio Simones' team read: "Quifel ASM will not take part in the final two races of the season following an in-depth analysis of its performances in the first stage of the season. "These performances were entirely out of line with the team's prestige and achievements in recent seasons. "After an absence from the Imola race, the team decided it did not have the essential conditions required to take an honourable part in the races at Silverstone and Estoril in September." Drivers Olivier Pla and Miguel Amaral have a best finish of eighth to their names from the Paul Ricard season opener and the outfit lies only third in the LMS teams' championship and with no realistic hope of winning the title. The team has not decided on whether it will compete in 2012 and is evaluating a number of options ahead of next season.