From 2017 to 2024 the driver crews in the LMP3 category in the Michelin Le Mans Cup was made up by a bronze and a silver/gold pairing. In 2025 this changed with the advent of pro driver pairings in LMP3, this meant the class that includes bronze drivers was designated as LMP3 Pro/Am and this weekend in Portimão, the first ever LMP3 Pro/Am champions will be revealed.
There are four cars still in the running for the 2025 LMP3 Pro/Am titles, with the top two cars both run by German team Rinaldi Racing.
Road To Le Mans winners Felipe Fernandez-Laser and Stefan Aust head to Portugal on 75-points in the no71 Ligier-Toyota, 8 points ahead of their teammate Steve Parrow in the driver standings, with Australian Griffin Peebles four points behind his Austrian teammate after missing the two races in Le Mans in June.
The two Rinaldi Racing run cars will face opposition from Spa-Francorchamps race winners Eric De Doncker and Gillian Henrion in the no98 Motorsport98 Ligier, who are on 63-points, 12 points behind the leaders.
The final car in the mix is the no84 ANS Motorsport Ligier, with French duo Julien Lemoine and Paul Trojani, the Le Castellet Round winners on 55-points.
We caught up with Stefen Aust and Steve Parrow as the two Rinaldi Racing teammates prepare to go head-to-head in Portugal to see who will lift the LMP3 Pro/Am championship trophy on Saturday 18 October.
Q: How are you going to approach this race? Will it be any different than the previous events or will you have one eye on the positions on track during the race?
Stefan Aust (no71 Rinaldi Racing Ligier JS P325-Toyota): “Our approach will be very similar to the previous races – stay consistent and focus on our own performance. Of course, with the championship on the line we are always aware of the points situation, but in the end so much can happen.
“We saw in Spa how quickly bad luck can hit you, so the key is to stay calm and execute our plan all the way to the finish. As a team, we will do everything possible and give everything to secure the title. And apart from that, we’re looking forward to racing in Portimão and hopefully enjoying some good weather while we’re there.”
Steve Parrow (no66 Rinaldi Racing Ligier JS P325-Toyota): “The ACO made a very good decision with the introduction of the PRO/AM class. This means we can compete for the championship. Thanks to Griffin, who did an incredible job, we have been on the podium three times, which I didn't expect. I'm already very happy. I can hardly believe that we're competing for the championship.
“Of course, I'm nervous, but I'm trying to focus on my job: survive the first two laps, stay on the lead lap, make no mistakes, avoid penalties and hand the car over to Griffin in perfect condition.”
Q: Does the fact that your nearest rivals for the title are your teammates make things easier or harder for you when looking at the overall championship?
Stefan Aust: “Yes, it makes everything a bit more spicy. Naturally, everyone wants to come out on top in the internal team battle. We believe the key for us is to focus on our own performance and make sure we do the best job possible as a driver pairing – but always with the bigger picture in mind: securing P1 and P2 in the championship as a reward for Rinaldi Racing, which of course would also be a huge success for the whole team.”
Steve Parrow: “We always share everything as a crew – data, setup ideas, strategy. But now, I think each crew is mainly focused on their own race and performance for the final one. That’s part of how competition evolves. But as a Rinaldi Racing team, we want to finish the season on a high note.”
Q: Portimão is a very technical circuit. What do you like about the track, and do you have a favourite corner or corners?
Stefan Aust: “Portimão is a fantastic track – it has so much character with the elevation changes, blind corners and the fast, flowing sections. In some ways it even reminds us a bit of the “Green Hell” with all the elevation changes. Portimão is always a challenge to nail a lap perfectly, and at the same time it’s also known for its unpredictable weather – which can make things even more exciting.”
Steve Parrow: “I really enjoy this rollercoaster of a track – it’s pure adrenaline. My favourite corner is definitely the final one. You feel the G-force through the elevation change – it’s all about commitment.”
The Portimão Round is the season finale for the 2025 Michelin Le Mans Cup and will take place on Saturday 18 October.
