It’s safe to say that 27-year-old Ryan Cullen has adapted to prototype racing quickly. After competing in single-seater formulae up to GP3 level, before heading into one-make Porsche competition, he’s made the jump, as many do, to prototype racing.

This year he’s been racing with the newly-formed APR Rebellion crew in the ELMS’ LMP2 class, and has impressed after just two races behind the wheel of an ORECA 07 Gibson.

With the post-Le Mans push about to begin with the ELMS’ trip to Austria, Cullen was eager to tell his story so far to DSC.

After three years successfully racing Porsche in Europe and the Middle East, why did you choose LMP2 as your next step in racing?

“I felt my business was done in Porsche racing and I had achieved everything from rookie wins to race wins, fastest laps, pole positions and even a championship in the Middle East Cup. I watched other types of racing and seeing LMP2 filled with the the best drivers in the world excited me. I felt the time was right and I had a good feeling about the switch from GT to LMP2. I had already had a taste in 2015 with a successful test, so I had no worries I could make the step up.”

What parts of your driving have you had to develop and adapt for the switch to endurance driving?

“I did have to change my driving style a little from a Porsche Cup driving style. LMP2 is far more physical, faster with over double the driving time. You have to take care of tyres a lot more and dealing with traffic is an area you don’t really experience in sprint racing.

“I have also had to develop a far greater understanding of how to work with two other drivers in the same car and also driving clean and tidy as possible so I can hand the car over for the next driver to continue the race. It’s a team sport in every sense.”

How have you found the season so far?

“So far it’s been a big learning curve. Teammates have been great as they have more experience than me and we all work well together. It’s been little frustrating as the team got the car very late before the first race at Paul Ricard, in fact a week before and although the team did a superb job, some issues kept us from being competitive from the get go. The following race at Monza was a huge leap forwards and even podium was in sight.

“I’m looking forward to the coming races where I believe we can get even improve further.”

Although only two races in what have been the highlights of 2018?

“A personal highlight for me was my stint at Monza going from last 18th in LMP2 (due to a penalty in qualifying) to hand the car over in P4 with no damage and only using two new tyres. Overall though, I have to say the best memory I have was going Le Mans to the test so I could do my mandatory laps to qualify as a reserve driver for Algarve Pro Racing.”

How have you found working with your team mates Gustavo Menezes and Harrison Newey?

“Both have been really good team-mates and we all seem to have the same aim and know the areas we need to work on to be more competitive consistently. Gustavo is a Le Mans winner so there is much to be learnt from him. He is a fun character too and brings a lot of positivity to the team. Harrison is a very knowledgeable guy who has been around racing all his life. He won ALMS last year and that brings in more experience to our set up.

A personal highlight for me was my stint at Monza going from last 18th in LMP2 to hand the car over in P4 with no damage and only using two new tyres.

“As both have more experience in LMP2, I try to listen more than I talk at the moment to understand and take in as much as possible during a race weekend. Both are completely different characters, but overall we have a great chemistry. In the end we all want the same thing; to win and be on the top step of the podium.”

Endurance racing is known to be extremely physical. How do you prepare for each race weekend?

“I stripped some weight firstly; I did this by getting a road bike and changing my diet. Where I live in Somerset is perfect for cycling and there are big hills and climbs, so it’s ideal for riding. I have also changed my gym workouts from more circuit training to high intensity.”

What is your favourite circuit on the ELMS Calendar and why?

“Monza is good because it’s high speed, but I have to say Spa is my favourite! These cars through Eau Rouge will be amazing and I can’t wait to be there.”

What are your plans after ELMS for the rest of this year and 2019?

“I’m looking at opportunities in Asian Le Mans and Daytona in January. For 2019 I want to work with my management to get a strong seat in ELMS or WEC in LMP2. Le Mans is a big goal of mine and we will push hard to be there for the 24 Hours next June.”