On the eve of the 2026 European Le Mans Series season opener, the entire IDEC SPORT team is fully focused on the first round of the European Le Mans Series championship.
A comprehensive and unforgiving track
Located just a few kilometers from Barcelona, the Catalan circuit is renowned as one of the most comprehensive on the calendar. With a mix of fast corners, long curves, and technical sections, it has everything needed to put both drivers and engineers to the test. Barcelona demands perfect mastery of driving skills and mechanical setups. Teams must find the right balance between top speed and grip, while managing tire wear on a demanding surface. Traffic management, always a challenge in the ELMS, will also be a decisive factor on this track where overtaking can prove difficult.
After several months of preparation, this first round marks a long-awaited return to competition.
Barcelona is often considered a true test of a car’s potential. “It’s a circuit where nothing can be left to chance. If the car performs well here, it’s generally a good sign for the rest of the season,” says a member of the technical team.
🎤 Interview with Franck Larue, Chief Engineer of #18
How are you approaching this first race of the season?
“I’m still getting to know the team, so the main goal is to adapt. I’m finding my footing with their way of working, and everything is going very well. The environment is pleasant, the car is competitive, and the team is solid. Honestly, everything is very positive right now.”
What are the specific characteristics of the Barcelona circuit?
“It’s a very technical track, very abrasive, and physically demanding as well. It’s quite an abrasive track, so tire management will be essential, especially during the second stint. Temperature will also play an important role. But for now, rain is forecast for Sunday, whereas we’ve been running all week in dry conditions, under the sun, and with temperatures that were sometimes very hot.“
Speaking of which, how do you adapt to such a sudden change in weather?
“Experience certainly plays a part. The team has a very solid foundation to build on. We also had the opportunity to drive in challenging conditions during testing at Spa, with rain and even snow. That should help us. And since it’s not expected to be very hot, that could work in our favor.“
What will be the keys to the race in Barcelona?
“Traffic will be decisive. There are few overtaking opportunities, so we’ll need to manage track situations well to make effective progress. Consistency is also key. In ELMS, everything can come down to endurance (4 hours), and pit stops are also critical… We’ll need to drive cleanly from start to finish.“
Does that make qualifying particularly important?
“Yes, definitely. A good qualifying result puts you up front, which is always an advantage. Even though the race lasts four hours and a lot can happen in the ELMS, starting at the front remains a significant advantage.“
What are the goals for the season?
“The goal is simple: to be up front and score points in every race; that’s essential for the championship. Then, it’ll be about giving it our all with the resources we have. We’re coming in with a lot of determination. We spent the winter working hard, fine-tuning a lot of details.”
How would you describe your team?
“It’s a group that’s both young and experienced. Laurents brings a lot thanks to his experience, which is very valuable. Jamie already has one season under her belt and has made tremendous progress. The three drivers share an excellent work ethic; they’re open-minded and collaborate very well together. As for Valerio, he’s already showing promising potential. He’s calm and composed, which bodes well for the future. ”
More than just an opening race, this Spanish round often sets the tone for the season. Performance, reliability, strategy: these are all elements that will allow IDEC SPORT to establish its position in the standings right from the start.
In a championship as competitive as the ELMS, every detail counts. And Barcelona, like other races this season, will leave no room for improvisation. The race promises to be spectacular, with tight battles at the front and strategies that could make all the difference.
Free practice 1 will take place on Friday, April 10 at 11:50 a.m. Free practice 2 is scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:10 a.m., ahead of qualifying (4:20 p.m. for LMP2), which can be followed live. The 4 Hours of Barcelona will start on Sunday, April 12, at 12:00 p.m. The race will be broadcast free live and in full. See you there.
