Team IDEC SPORT delivered a committed and spirited performance during the second round of the European Le Mans Series championship, held on home turf. In front of a supportive home crowd, the team placed both cars at the front of the pack with a 3rd-place finish for the #28 and a 4th-place finish for the #18, confirming its rising momentum early in the season.
As part of the Trajectory Program with Genesis Magma Racing, the #18 car and its drivers continue to demonstrate the value of this partnership by showing solid competitiveness in an increasingly challenging field.
A tense week, balancing hard work and resilience
With a mix of focus and determination, every detail was fine-tuned to approach this home race with ambition. While free practice sessions helped lay a solid foundation, the week was not without its challenges, particularly for the #18.
Despite a promising qualifying session, the car received a penalty at the end of the session, forcing it to start from the back of its class. A major challenge that completely reshuffled the strategic deck even before the start.
A race of character and a controlled comeback
As soon as the lights went out, both crews showed great fighting spirit. The #28 gradually settled into the top 5, driven by an effective strategy and perfectly executed stints, allowing it to secure a well-deserved 3rd place on the podium.
For its part, the #18 car staged a remarkable comeback. Starting last in its class, it gradually made up ground thanks to an aggressive strategy and solid stints. It ultimately finished just off the podium in 4th place, a result all the more significant given its starting position.
At the finish, Team IDEC SPORT was the only team to place two cars in the top 5, a testament to its overall performance and the quality of its execution during the race.
Strong Team Dynamics on Home soil
Racing at home added a special dimension to this round, with strong support from partners and the public. The entire team was able to channel this energy into concrete results on the track.
Reactions
Patrice Lafargue, President of IDEC SPORT
“Both cars are well-placed; that’s really important. It’s been a while since we’ve been this competitive, and the week hadn’t been easy. So seeing this result at home is a huge pleasure. It boosts the morale of the entire team, especially as we approach Le Mans. We’ll arrive with a smile and a desire to win. ”
Nicolas Minassian, Team Principal, IDEC SPORT
“Today, it’s a podium finish and a fourth-place finish. What stands out to me is that we’re constantly in the mix. The team did a solid, clean job. All six drivers were flawless, making no mistakes. That’s our strength: knowing how to execute. And today, we proved it.”
Paul Lafargue (#28)
“Getting on the podium at home is incredible. We’ve been chasing this for a while. Being the only team with two cars in the top 5 shows that the work is well done. We’re solid in the race, even if we need to keep improving.”
Paul-Loup Chatin (#28)
“It’s a great day for the team. The level of competition is very high, but we can be proud. The team was very strong in strategy, and this podium is a reward for a lot of hard work.”
Job Van Uitert (#28) “We knew the podium was within reach, and we were able to make it happen. We’ve been waiting a long time for this result. Doing it at home makes this moment even more special.”
Jamie Chadwick (#18)
“Another 4th place. There’s a bit of disappointment, but also a lot of positives. Starting last, we managed to fight our way back into the race. We’re scoring important points for the championship.”
Laurents Hörr (#18)
“The race was tough, especially after a collision that affected performance and the tires. But the team did an incredible job. This result remains solid and important for the championship.”
Valerio Rinicella (#18)
“Given where we started, this is an excellent result. The penalty forced us to start from scratch, but the strategy and execution were very good. It’s a great team comeback we can be proud of.”
Looking Ahead
Team IDEC SPORT leaves this round with valuable points and renewed confidence. As the next events approach, particularly the testing sessions for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this performance brings positive momentum and confirms the team’s potential for the remainder of the ELMS season.
