The middle round of the 2010 Le Mans Series will take teams to southern Portugal (July 15-17) where a field of just thirty-two cars is expected to take part in the 1,000km race – some of which will be run in darkness – at the Autodromo Internacional Algarve.

Peugeot Oreca

The entry list for the third round of the 2010 series features 32 cars, although the N°7 and N°8 factory Audi R15s and the two Audi R10 TDIs have withdrawn from the meeting. As a consequence, the Oreca-Matmut Peugeot 908 HDI FAP stands out as the main favourite in the hands of the same all-French line-up (Panis/Lapierre/Sarrazin) we saw at Le Castellet.

The ranks of those vying for a top finish include the N°6 Oreca-AIM prototype, plus the teams who will be hoping to make amends for a disappointing run at Le Mans, namely the Signature+ Lola-Aston Martin and the two Lolas of Switzerland’s Rebellion Racing which has a chance of moving ahead in the LMP1 Teams and Drivers championship standings. Following the big accident it suffered at Le Mans, the Mansell family’s Ginetta-Zytek will return to competitive action in Hungary in August.

The twisty Portuguese venue should suit the Strakka Racing HPD-ARX 01c LMP2 prototype which came fifth in the Le Mans 24 Hours. In LMGT2, the contest will resume between Porsche, Ferrari, , Aston Martin and Spyker. Felbermayr-Proton (Porsche) currently tops the points table thanks to a score of two straight wins, but AF Corse has this time entered three F430s, including one for Fisichella/Alesi. The two Michelin-equipped Saleens are likely to lead the fight for LMGT1 honours, while seven Formula Le Mans cars will be competing in the Algarve.

Algarve, LMS, Oreca, Peugeot