For the eleventh consecutive year, IDEC SPORT is renewing its loyal commitment to the ELMS. Continuing on from the 2025 season, the French team is entering two LMP2 cars. Paul Lafargue, who has been with the team since its creation in 2015, forms the basis of the #28 LMP2 trio. The second Oreca, the #18, will be driven by the equally talented British driver Jamie Chadwick, who is entering her second year with IDEC SPORT.
Opting for experience and stability, Paul-Loup Chatin and Job Van Uitert continue the adventure alongside their teammate, Paul Lafargue, in the #28 car. As for the sister car, we will have to wait a little longer to find out which two drivers will join Jamie Chadwick.
Patrice Lafargue, President, IDEC SPORT
“Following on from 2025, which was synonymous with a new experience with the partnership with Genesis Magma Racing, I am very proud to see that IDEC SPORT is a real springboard and that the team is now recognized for its values. We are continuing our commitment to ELMS with two LMP2 cars, #18 and #28. We often say internally that there is no motorsport without enjoyment, so let’s approach this new season as we know so well how to do: with enthusiasm, humility, and passion. “
Nicolas Minassian, Team Principal, IDEC SPORT
“For more than ten years, thanks to Patrice and Paul (Lafargue) and the determination of the staff, we have all worked together to develop a platform with the resources to achieve great things. IDEC SPORT has proven this. It’s a great team: competitive, united, professional, persevering, and one that has managed to preserve its family values, with the immense pleasure of getting together every weekend for a high-level sporting challenge.
This year, we have opted for stability in the #28 car with a crew that knows each other very well, is complementary, solid, and capable of achieving excellent results. At IDEC SPORT, we also like to train and support young drivers who are just starting out and who share our mindset. That’s what we’re doing with #18 by welcoming back Jamie, who has shown us excellent performance this season. 2026 looks set to be an exciting year, and I’m delighted about that.“
Paul Lafargue, driver of the #28 car and founding member of IDEC SPORT
“Each new season is an opportunity to rejoin the IDEC SPORT team, which is a real pleasure. Every race weekend, coming back to the track means reuniting with a close-knit group that I enjoy working with. This good rapport helps us to progress together. It’s true that the 2025 season fell slightly short of our ambitions for #28. However, we can take something positive from the work we’ve done: the last three races, which ended with three consecutive fourth places, showed that we were back on track and ready to fight at the front. These performances give us confidence for the coming season. We know where we want to go, we have identified areas for improvement, and the whole team is mobilized to continue this momentum. We are determined and eager to get back on track to confirm our ambitions. “
Paul-Loup Chatin, #28
“I’m very happy to continue with IDEC SPORT in LMP2 for the ELMS. A big thank you to Patrice, Paul, and Nicolas for their trust. It’s a real opportunity to be able to keep the same lineup, and I’m convinced that this continuity will pay off. We had a very solid second half of the 2025 season, and I know that we will all push in the same direction to build on everyone’s efforts and constantly fight at the front of the field.“
Job Van Uitert, #28
“I am very happy to continue with IDEC Sport in 2026. After two seasons marked by some great highlights, I can’t wait to continue this momentum. Paul has made great progress and, with Paul-Loup, we have a team capable of winning. A huge thank you to Patrice, Paul, and Nicolas for their confidence. As always, I will give my best. “
Jamie Chadwick, #18
”I am extremely excited to be returning to the European Le Mans Series with IDEC SPORT. Last season was incredible, we were able to fight for the title in our first year, and continuing this adventure with IDEC SPORT RACING and the support of Genesis Magma Racing through the trajectory program gives us real momentum. We have built a solid foundation and I am confident that we can fight at the front again in 2026. I can’t wait to rejoin the team and fight to go even further. “
The 2026 season will once again feature six races, kicking off at the famous Barcelona circuit in Spain on April 11 and 12, 2026, before moving on to Le Castellet on the weekend of May 2-3, then Imola in Italy on July 4-5, followed by a summer break. The season will resume on August 23 in Belgium at Spa-Francorchamps, continue in England at Silverstone on September 12-13, and end traditionally in Portugal at Portimao on October 10.
