The 2026 season got off to a particularly intense start at the Barcelona circuit, where the opening minutes of the race were marked by incidents as soon as the green flag dropped.
No sooner had the race started than two major collisions involving several competitors disrupted the field, causing the race to be neutralized for about thirty minutes, which ultimately led to the race duration being extended by half an hour.
Engaged in a tight battle for position, the team then had to contend with the #28 car going off the track followed by a collision, directly impacting its ambitions (P10). The #18 car finished just off the podium (P4).
A weekend rich in lessons
Following this intense weekend, the team remains fully committed.
Nicolas Minassian, Team Principal
“The ELMS is a highly competitive championship that leaves no room for error. We know that to do well in the championship, we need to be consistent and score points. That’s what we’re doing today with the #18, and the 12 points scored. We’re disappointed for the #28, which equally deserves a spot in the top 5. We had a few issues, some small mistakes, and this series doesn’t forgive them. Nevertheless, the potential for performance is there; we gave it our all and will continue to work as we have throughout the winter and this week, without letting up, to achieve even better results. It will pay off eventually; I’m sure of it. Our team is solid. ”
Job Van Uitert, #28
“This wasn’t the race we were hoping for. It doesn’t reflect the work the team has put in, so I’m disappointed for them. The level of competition is very high. As soon as you make a mistake, it’s impossible to come-back. You have to be flawless, and today we weren’t. We made a mistake, and it cost us the race. We were still a bit off the pace compared to the fastest cars, but there were moments when I felt really strong.”
Jamie Chadwick, #18
“The start was a bit tricky, but I managed to get back into position by gaining a few places. We decided to do a double tire change, which turned out to be a good move, especially with the virtual safety car. At the start of the weekend and even earlier in the week, we were a bit behind. But the way we’ve improved is encouraging. The team did an excellent job. Clearly, the top 5 remains the goal. In this race, I think we did a good job. We’ll continue in this direction and aim for another top-5 finish next time out. I even hope we can do even better and make it onto the podium.”
Laurents Hörr, #18
“It’s a bit different after so many years in the lower category. But overall, the result is positive. The car was well-balanced, especially during the first stint. I felt really confident to push. It’s positive because we can go even further with the car’s setup. We have an excellent team. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together. It’s really very enjoyable.”
Valerio Rinicella, #18
“It was a pretty tough race. I only had two tires on the left side, so it was a bit tricky to get them up to temperature. The pace was decent. We fought for the podium until the very end, but #29 was really very fast. As for traffic, sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don’t. It all depends on positioning: half a second can make you lose a spot or, on the contrary, gain one. So you have to manage it well, know how to take risks, and also have a bit of luck. I still have a lot to learn. It was my first race, so finishing P4 is still a good result.”
Keep pushing, learn from every situation, and build on the positives for the upcoming races—these are the watchwords of the entire team, who now look forward to seeing you at Le Castellet for the weekend of May 1.
