IDEC SPORT has always placed great importance on the French round of the European Le Mans Series, especially since the 4 Hours of Le Castellet became the team’s home race. The French outfit established its base in Signes, right next to the Paul Ricard circuit, in 2023.
Team owner Patrice Lafargue also used the occasion to celebrate the team’s 10th anniversary. The IDEC SPORT Club, a high-end facility providing all the comfort needed to share a passion for sport, hosted the event, welcoming numerous partners, organizers, political figures, and media representatives.
Patrice Lafargue, President of IDEC SPORT
“If we compare where we were 10 years ago to today, the difference is incredible. Building the facility was a key driver in the team’s development. We’ve come a long way—it’s pretty spectacular. Genesis joining us also played a big role. For us, it’s a great recognition that a factory team would rely on us, and that’s very satisfying. A big part of that is thanks to Nico (Minassian), who made this project a reality. I’m not much of a visionary—I don’t think in terms of where we’ll be in two or three years. But if we do something, we do it well. We created the team because we love racing, and with Paul, we wanted a close-knit, family-style team. That was the spirit. But you quickly get drawn in and always want more. Still, it’s important to know that going too far might lose that IDEC SPORT spirit.”
Nicolas Minassian, Team Principal of IDEC SPORT
“For 10 years, Patrice has shown his immense passion for sport and motorsport. He did everything needed to develop and grow IDEC SPORT. Today, it’s a larger structure with greater ambition, and he can be proud of that. We’re here at our Signes headquarters celebrating the team’s 10th anniversary, and it’s also a great chance to admire our fantastic facility that we’ve had for two years now. It’s also the perfect time to welcome Sebastian Alvarez ahead of Le Mans. He’s a young driver who has already shown great speed, and I know he’ll do a solid job. We’re focused on the 4 Hours of Le Castellet this weekend, but Le Mans is just around the corner. We’ve been preparing for months. We’re going in with the ambition to get a strong result, and we’ve done everything to leave as little to chance as possible.”
Cyril Abiteboul, President of Hyundai Motorsport
“IDEC SPORT has accumulated 10 years of experience, and it’s a great opportunity for Genesis to benefit from that in a very collaborative spirit. For us, it’s essential to rely on a high-performing and ambitious structure—and IDEC SPORT delivers that. The ELMS is a championship with a high level of professionalism and many top drivers. That’s why we decided to begin our endurance journey in the LMP2 category before entering the WEC with our GMR001 Hypercar. The endurance spirit is very different from other categories, and it’s enriching to see crews working with a team-first mindset.”
What better place than France to announce a Le Mans driver?
IDEC SPORT has revealed its final mystery: Sebastian Alvarez will replace Paul-Loup Chatin in the #28 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Mexican driver is very familiar with the Oreca 07, having finished runner-up in the LMP2 class of the 2024 ELMS. Sebastian has already driven with Job Van Uitert during the 24 Hours of Daytona. His record includes XXX (unspecified achievements), along with four ELMS podiums, including one victory. He is the second Mexican driver to join IDEC SPORT, after Memo Rojas (2018 and 2019).
Sebastian Alvarez, Driver of the IDEC SPORT #28 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans
“I’ve been in contact with IDEC SPORT for a while now, and we’ve even done some testing together. I’m really grateful for this opportunity. Racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a team like this is incredible. I’m super excited to take part in such an event—it’s the kind of race you’d ask Santa Claus to do. I’ll give it everything to help us get a great result. I know Job well, since we were teammates at Daytona, where we crossed the finish line in first place. I already know the atmosphere within the trio and the team will be great.”
The full-time ELMS drivers—Paul Lafargue, Job Van Uitert, Paul-Loup Chatin in the #28, and Jamie Chadwick, Daniel Juncadella, Mathys Jaubert in the #18—will take the start of the 4 Hours of Le Castellet this Sunday, May 4th at 12:00 PM. Racing in front of the French fans and securing a strong result would be a great gift and, more importantly, a chance to show the team’s dedication and hard work, while staying true to its family values.
