Negri Returns for 2020 Asian Le Mans Campaign

Shanghai, China (20 November 2019) After closing his 2019 racing program on top of the International GT podium at Monza with co-driver Francesco Piovanetti, 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Ozz Negri will look to launch the 2019-2020 Asian Le Mans Series with a similar result this weekend as the championship opens with the Four Hours of Shanghai.

The race is the first of the four-round Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS) championship, which will culminate in Thailand in February after visits to China, Australia, and Malaysia. Driving for Spirit of Race, Negri will team with Piovanetti as well as Ferrari ace Alessandro Pierguidi in the No. 51 Ferrari 488 GT3 machine.

The trio are a familiar line-up, having run to second in the ALMS championship last year. (confirm).

“I’m really excited to kick off this ALMS championship at Shanghai this weekend,” said Negri. “Francesco (Piovanetti) continues to get better and better every race weekend we have so I know he will be a key part of our performance. It was awesome to win at Monza with him and this team is the same group of guys we raced with in that (International GT) championship and it’sthe same group of guys who supported us in the IMSA races in 2018. It is an awesome group, they are so talented and even though we are showing up on the other side of the world, it will be great to have so many familiar faces there.”

The trio will race in the GT category, which will feature nine entries among the three-class, 26-car field that will include LMP3 and LMP2 entries as well. The 2019-2020 ALMS schedule includes a new track with the inclusion of South Australia’s The Bend on a calendar that now features two Formula 1-grade facilities.

“These tracks, they are tough!” said Negri with a laugh. “There was a lot to learn on them last year for Francesco (Piovanetti) and I racing on these tracks for the first time. But looking to the season now, there is just the one new track (The Bend), and it will be new for everyone so it should be no problem. It is great that they’ve adjusted the timing for this year, not having the back to back races means that we can get home to be with our family a little more between races.”

The opening event will launch with Free Practice on November 22, with a pair of practice and qualifying sessions on the 23rd ahead of the 4 Hour race on November 24th. Results and updates will be posted at http://www.asianlemansseries.com.