A fiery championship title battle will be settled in the European Le Mans Series season finale in Portimao.
The Circuit International do Algarve is regarded as an enjoyable track for the drivers owing to its 'rollercoaster' and will host the sixth round of 2024.
Just 15 points cover the top-three competitors in the LMP2 standings, and Panis Racing's Charles Milesi has commenced proceedings with a sensational second pole position.
The four-hour race on Saturday 19 October will house a multi-class field of 43 cars, specifically 14 Oreca 07s in LMP2 – and eight more in Pro/Am.
Only one point is awarded to the class pole-sitters, but track position is the ultimate advantage which Panis Racing has over the competition.
AO Racing by TF Sport's #14 crew lead on 75 points, ahead of the #43 Inter Europol Competition on 69 and the #65 Panis Racing team now on 61 points.
Alpine Hypercar driver Milesi claimed pole position with a lap time of 1:30.727 with a substantial 0.382 seconds on Malthe Jakobsen's #37 COOL Racing entry.
For tomorrow's race, the #65 will not only start upfront but also six positions ahead of their nearest title-rival, the #14.
Former champion Louis Deletraz qualified the #14 in seventh as Tom Dillmann put the #43 in 10th place.
Alluding to the top-10 points-finishing allocation – 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1 – then the #65 would secure the title by five points on the #14.
Data from the free practice running suggested that the #65 Panis Racing Oreca is the fastest and most comfortable out of the title-contending trio of LMP2s.
If Panis Racing secured race victory, the #14 AO Racing by TF Sport team would need to finish a minimum of fourth position to claim the title by one point.
Inter Europol find themselves starting in 10th position however, they are the third-fastest on average pace from free practice.
As a result, exactly like at Mugello, we could expect to see them charge up the order throughout the course of the race.
With Algarve implementing stresses on tyre management and tyre degradation, the #43's opening stint will be crucial for taking opportunity of the field's close proximity before the gaps begin to form.
LMP2s undoubtedly carry the most downforce through the 15 corners with LMP3s and LMGT3s closely matched in all but the high speed bends.
Pressure is on Panis Racing to convert their pole position into victory, as Milesi was not quite able to fend off his podium in the previous Mugello race.
Panis Racing will need to execute the perfect race with not just Milesi but also by his co-drivers Manuel Maldonado and Arthur Leclerc.
If Milesi starts, he will need to fight off Jakobsen to retain the lead though data suggests the Panis Racing Oreca will likely be able to do so.
Along with the rollercoaster nature of Algarve, it offers a wide track width to ease traffic management, certainly compared to Mugello.
Given the high speed nature of the circuit, any crashes will be dramatic and unfortunate if the title protagonists – of each class – get involved.
The key will be for drivers to remain vigilant and utilise run-off areas for their intended purpose, rather than as a purposeful way to exceed track limits.
Speaking of which, track limits will be difficult not to trigger from behind the wheel so fast, consistent laps need to be laid without too much risk at the heart of the race duration.
Mugello gave a challenge for Iron Lynx-Proton with safety cars and full-course-yellow periods and so going by previous ELMS finales at Portimao, we should expect an action-packed spectacle which will test these title contenders.