Following an instructive first round, IDEC SPORT approaches the second round of the 2026 European Le Mans Series season with determination and ambition at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, a true home race for the French team.
In a familiar setting and in front of its partners, IDEC SPORT intends to build on the lessons learned at the start of the season to confirm its potential and aim for the front of the grid in an increasingly competitive field.
In the Var region, where the team has plenty of experience, the French outfit is banking on consistency and precision in execution. Between tire management, strategy, and traffic, the race once again promises to be tight in an increasingly competitive LMP2 category. IDEC SPORT knows it will have to be spot-on at every level to aim for a solid result.
A momentum to maintain
From free practice onward, the objective is clear: find the right balance and validate the setups under race-like conditions. The technical team, well-versed at this circuit, relies on a proven foundation while remaining attentive to track changes and the very narrow performance margins.
Whether over a single lap or a full stint, consistency will be key. At Le Castellet, the long straights and rapid sequences leave little room for error. IDEC SPORT will therefore need to demonstrate mastery to turn its potential into results. Note that this year, the ELMS will use the Paul Ricard configuration with the chicane in the middle of the Mistral straight, as in F1.
Clear Ambitions
For Patrice Lafargue, president of IDEC SPORT, the mindset is clear:
“Le Castellet is a special track for us, almost a second home. It’s here that we truly feel the support of our partners and our ecosystem. After an encouraging start to the season, the goal is clear: to take the next step and deliver results. The team is working hard, and I’m confident in our ability to compete at the front of the field. ”
For his part, Nicolas Minassian, Team Principal, emphasizes the necessary rigor:
“As seen in Barcelona, the competition is extremely strong. Details and consistency will be key on a track that puts the tires through a grueling test. Since the first round in Spain, we’ve analyzed our performance against the competition to pinpoint exactly where we need to improve. We need to execute our race cleanly, just like in Barcelona with the #18 car. I have complete confidence in the team and the drivers, who know this circuit well—our home track at IDEC SPORT.”
Two crews ready to take on the challenge
Paul Lafargue, #28
“After a first round in Barcelona that fell short of our expectations, the entire IDEC SPORT team has rallied. The team spirit is very positive, and there’s a real sense of unity within the group, driven by a shared desire to demonstrate our potential. Arriving at Le Castellet, our home race, naturally provides an extra boost of motivation in this highly competitive championship. It’s a track we know well, and we’d love to perform well in front of our partners and our fans. ”
Paul-Loup Chatin, #28
“Very happy to be back at Le Castellet for our home race. It’s always a real pleasure for us at IDEC to compete in this round just a few kilometers from the workshop. We showed some great things throughout the week in Barcelona, even if it didn’t translate into results in the race. So we’re determined to turn this trend around starting at Le Castellet, in order to quickly reposition ourselves at the front of the pack, where the best performances happen. I can’t wait to get there, and I’m convinced it will be a great round for us.”
Job Van Uitert, #28
“The Paul Ricard circuit usually delivers exciting races. Tire degradation is relatively low, which allows for two consecutive stints. The focus is on precision in execution and strategy. The field is always very tight—the race promises to be thrilling!”
Jamie Chadwick, #18
“We’re excited. We had a very positive first race, even though we just missed the podium. That makes us even more hungry for what’s to come. We’ve started the season well by working effectively together, and we’re committed to keeping this momentum going. The Paul Ricard circuit is very unique. It’s a track that lends itself well to racing, especially in the ELMS with the different categories on the track. Conditions there are often changeable, as they were last year with a mix of rain and dry track, which can always lead to surprises. It’s a circuit I’m looking forward to returning to, and for the team, this home race is an event for which we’re particularly motivated to give our best.”
Laurents Hörr, #18
“As a brand-new crew, we learned a lot during that first race in Barcelona, and we want to leverage our collective strengths to move forward at Paul Ricard. We’re going to try to focus more on our base setup and improve it gradually. The team did an excellent job with strategy in Barcelona; we need to keep that momentum going.”
Valerio Rinicella, #18
“Paul Ricard was my very first race with IDEC Sport. It was an incredible experience: a French team and a race in France. I’m really looking forward to returning to where it all began. I’m super excited and can’t wait to race there again.”
Le Castellet, a turning point
More than just another round, this second race is already shaping up to be a key turning point of the season. On a technical and strategic circuit, IDEC SPORT aims to confirm its ambitions and score valuable points in the championship. See you at the Paul Ricard track for a weekend that could already prove decisive in the title race.
Friday, May 1, Free Practice 1 will begin at 11:50 a.m. and last for 1 hour and 30 minutes. On Saturday, May 2, Free Practice 2 will take place at 10:10 a.m., followed by qualifying at 4:16 p.m., before the grid lines up for the second round of the season on Sunday, May 3, at 12:00 p.m., which can be followed live on https://plus.fiawec.com/fr.
Teams overall – ELMS 2026
- Forestier Racing by Panis – 25 points
- Inter Europool Competition – 18 points
- United Autosport – 15 points
- IDEC SPORT #18 – 12 points
- ….
10ème – IDEC SPORT #28 – 1 point
Drivers overall – ELMS 2026
- ESTEBAN MASSON, LOUIS ROUSSET, OLIVER GRAY – 25 points
- BIJOY GARG, RESHAD DE GÉRUS – 18 points
- BENJAMIN HANLEY, GRÉGOIRE SAUCY, GRIFFIN PEEBLES – 15 points
- JAMIE CHADWICK, LAURENTS HÖRR, VALERIO RINICELLA – 12 points
- ….Bas du formulaire
10ème – PAUL LAFARGUE, PAUL-LOUP CHATIN, JOB VAN UITERT – 1 point
