Strong Showing from Charlie Eastwood in 2021 Asian Le Mans Series

Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of the Year 2018, Charlie Eastwood helped TF Sport to a clean sweep of race finishes, scoring their best finish at the last race of the ultra-compact two-week Asian Le Mans Series.

A single qualifying session for the first two rounds at the Dubai Autodrome saw Eastwood place the #95 Vantage as not only the fastest Aston Martin, but also the fastest non-Porsche qualifier for the first round.

The season opener proved just how competitive it was going to be for British team TF Sport, and an unfortunately-timed full course yellow period, cost #97 50 seconds, denying the Oman Racing by TF Sport crew a better result than P7. #95 had a tough start to the four- hour battle, but between the driver trio, they managed to fight back into contention and crossed the line in tenth.

A great strategy executed, but an unlucky penalty made the difference for #97 in the second round. Nevertheless, Oman Racing by TF Sport's bronze-graded driver Ahmad Al Harthy, drove an impressive stint and made it tough work for the pro drivers around him. Canning and Adam had some hard-fought battles and their recovery drivers saw #97 cross the line in seventh.

John Hartshorne in the #95 Vantage posted his fastest lap of the week during his stint and handed the car over to his pro drivers in a strong position. Progress by Hancock and Eastwood saw them take the flag in P11.

The competition became even more fierce, as the series moved to the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Qualifying saw Adam qualify ninth and eighth for the double-header and Hancock peddled #97 to P15 for both races - a mere second off pole position and 0.5s from the sister car.

Disaster struck for the Oman Racing by TF Sport Vantage in round 3, after it became the innocent victim and was caught up in a fellow competitors incident, costing the #97 crew a top step finish. Nevertheless, Adam propelled the GT3 to the top three in the opening stages of the race, Al Harthy drove the stint of his life and Canning battled hard with the higher-graded pros. Unfortunately, the retirement meant that the #97 was taken out of contention for a Le Mans entry-winning spot.

The #95 crew recorded another finish, adding to their points tally. Qualifier Hancock took the start and managed to keep out of trouble during the opening lap mania. Bronze driver Hartshorne was next in the seat and continued to improve around the extremely technical track and pro Eastwood completed the race with a double stint and brought the #95 Vantage over the line in P16.

Following on from their heartbreaking bad luck in round three, the Oman Racing by TF Sport crew made an incredibly strong start in the Asian Le Mans Series finale. Youngster Canning and super-Am, Al Harthy, fought their way up to the lead of the GT class before handing over to Adam for a double-stint to the finish. Once all mandatory stops had been completed across the field, it was an intensely close battle to the flag and Adam brought the #97 Vantage over the line in P4.

TF Sport debutants Hartshorne and Hancock, recorded their best finish of the championship. Alongside Eastwood, the #95 GT3 took sixth position in the last race of the compact series.

It was a steep learning curve for Am-driver John, but he made vast improvements throughout the two weeks, in preparation for his European Le Mans Series programme.

Eastwood now turns his attention to the first round of the 2021 World Endurance Championship in Portimão, April 4.