In the #28 car, Job VAN UITERT, Paul LAFARGUE, and Sebastian ALVAREZ fine-tuned the setup and worked on strengthening the trio’s cohesion.
A cornerstone of the team, Paul LAFARGUE is gearing up for his ninth participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a race he still approaches with the same passion:
“I’m always like a kid when I see the entry list and my name is on it. It’s the most beautiful race in the world. I’m getting older—this will be my ninth time—but the magic is still there. The atmosphere is incredible. I think of my father, whom I saw racing at Le Mans, and that’s what inspired me to do this,” explains Paul LAFARGUE. “I know we’re competitive, but that’s not enough at Le Mans. Everything has to align to get a result. This year, we have another strong trio, with Seb joining us. We’ll have to push even harder.”
Alongside him, Sebastian ALVAREZ will be discovering the magic of the Le Mans circuit for the first time. It’s a debut full of emotion and eagerness:
“I know Job well since we’ve shared a car before, and I also know Paul because we raced against each other last year. The atmosphere within the team is great. I’m going to try to make the most of this first time at Le Mans and learn as much as possible. The atmosphere at Le Mans is amazing, and I can’t wait to drive on this legendary track—especially at night.”
Job VAN UITERT returns with determination for his seventh appearance:
“I can’t wait! It’s the most fun race of the year, the most iconic. Le Mans speaks for itself. The podium last year meant a lot, and I’m happy to have experienced that with IDEC SPORT. I’d love to get back on it—or even do better—but if you offered me a podium right now, I’d sign instantly, especially after the bad luck we’ve had in the first two races. I’m happy to race again with Sebastian—we have a score to settle. And of course, Paul, with whom I share a lot.”
The #28 clearly aims for a strong result in this 2025 edition, driven by a mix of experience, youth, and ambition.
On the #18 side, fresh off a home victory at Le Castellet, the car’s trio approaches the 24 Hours of Le Mans with determination and hunger. Featuring André LOTTERER, Jamie CHADWICK, and Mathys JAUBERT, the crew took part in the intensive testing day to prepare for the legendary endurance challenge.
André LOTTERER, a three-time winner of the 24 Hours, is a seasoned veteran of the Sarthe circuit, although this year will be a first of its kind. Usually racing in the Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), he will be competing in LMP2 for the first time:
“It’s great to be back at Le Mans, especially as part of the Genesis program. I wasn’t supposed to race this year, but of course, I said yes immediately. Everything feels natural with the car. I felt comfortable right away. It’s very enjoyable to drive. Of course, I want to win, but Le Mans is Le Mans. We’ll give it our all. The biggest new element for me will be the traffic, having to watch out for the Hypercars. But the speed difference is manageable. Most overtaking will happen under braking or on straights. It’s not like with the LMP1s, where they could appear out of nowhere. Here, I think we have time to see them coming.”
For Jamie CHADWICK and Mathys JAUBERT, this will be their first Le Mans participation—a major milestone in their careers.
“I’ve been to Le Mans several times before, and I think it’s going to be incredible to experience it from the inside. So much happens during that week. I had it on my wish list for a long time. Racing in LMP2 there will be fantastic. Even though we’ve won the first two ELMS rounds, I don’t think anything can fully prepare you for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car will be different, with less aero and power, the track is so unique, and of course, the race lasts twenty-four hours,” says the British driver.
The same excitement is shared by Mathys JAUBERT, who is progressing rapidly in endurance racing:
“Le Mans starts today. We’ve started getting used to the car in its ‘Le Mans’ setup. You don’t feel much difference on the straights, but a lot in the corners. These will be my first 24 Hours of Le Mans, but I’m confident. People have told me it’s important to pace yourself and save energy for the race weekend. I’m also looking forward to the passionate moments—especially the parade. With Jamie and André, we should be able to do a good job. The main goal is, of course, to finish, but if we could get into the top 5, that would be great.”
With a promising lineup and positive momentum after their recent victory, the #18 car stands as a serious LMP2 contender.
Nicolas Minassian, IDEC SPORT’s team principal, has taken part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 16 times as a driver, and the tally continues in his role as team manager. One thing is certain—”Minass” knows this race inside and out:
“We’ve just got one more test session before Le Mans, which is for running in parts. We have very detailed procedures for reliability. We’ll take the cars apart and check everything. At Le Mans, you can’t leave anything to chance. The team and drivers will be preparing as well. Every department has its own specific program. Le Mans is truly a massive operation for a team.”
The team now looks ahead to the official test day, before the big start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where IDEC SPORT will aim to be among the front-runners in a highly competitive field.
