{"id":15758257,"date":"2026-06-30T11:25:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T09:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.idecsport.com\/imola-le-moment-ou-la-saison-elms-change-de-visage\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T11:44:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T09:44:40","slug":"imola-le-moment-ou-la-saison-elms-change-de-visage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.idecsport.com\/en\/imola-le-moment-ou-la-saison-elms-change-de-visage\/","title":{"rendered":"IMOLA: THE MOMENT THE ELMS SEASON TAKES A NEW TURN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From Le Mans to the Hills of Emilia-Romagna<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barely enough time to catch its breath after the 24 Hours of Le Mans, IDEC SPORT is already back in European championship mode. The destination is Imola, host of Round 3 of the 2026 European Le Mans Series and a pivotal stage in this year’s campaign.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Following the opening rounds at Barcelona and Le Castellet, the ELMS field heads to Italy for the halfway point of the season. It marks an important weekend for IDEC SPORT, which returns to its full line-up with both of its Oreca 07-Gibsons on track: the #28, fresh from its Le Mans campaign, alongside the #18 entered as part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event also sees the return of the regular ELMS driver line-ups. After contesting the 24 Hours of Le Mans aboard the #28 Oreca, Valerio Rinicella rejoins his #18 teammates Laurents H\u00f6rr and Jamie Chadwick. Meanwhile, Paul-Loup Chatin returns to the #28 for the European Le Mans Series after racing at Le Mans with Genesis Magma Racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.909 km \u2013 19 corners \u2013 63 metres of elevation change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three figures that perfectly capture the challenge of Imola.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nestled in the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is one of the most demanding circuits on the ELMS calendar. It is also one of the few European venues raced in an anti-clockwise direction. Drivers must master the heavy braking zones of Tamburello and Rivazza, the fast-flowing Acque Minerali section and constant elevation changes that make every lap unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although memories of Le Mans remain fresh throughout the paddock, Imola presents an entirely different challenge. Where the Circuit de la Sarthe rewards endurance, traffic management and the ability to perform over 24 hours, Imola is all about precision. Narrower, more technical and far less forgiving, the Italian circuit demands complete concentration and flawless execution from lights out to the chequered flag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“The 24 Hours of Le Mans holds a special place in both our season and the history of IDEC SPORT. Once again, the 2026 edition demonstrated the strength of our organisation and the quality of the work carried out alongside our partners. But endurance racing is built across an entire programme, not a single event. At Imola, we return with both of our ELMS crews, together with the full Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program. It perfectly illustrates the ecosystem we have been developing for several years: identifying young talent, supporting their progression and building, race after race, a coherent and sustainable project at the highest level of endurance racing.<\/em>” Patrice Lafargue, President of IDEC SPORT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Le Mans is an emotional rollercoaster. After an event like that, you have to refocus very quickly. Imola brings us straight back into the championship fight. It is a circuit that leaves no room for error, where every detail matters and traffic management will be crucial. We welcome Paul-Loup Chatin back into the #28 while the three drivers from the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program return to the #18. Our ambition is to build on the momentum we’ve created since the start of the season and continue aiming even higher.” Nicolas Minassian, Team Principal, IDEC SPORT<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For IDEC SPORT, the objective extends far beyond the result of a single weekend. With three rounds remaining after Imola, every point becomes increasingly valuable in the fight for the championship. Round 3 marks the beginning of the second half of the season, when strategies begin to take shape and championship ambitions become ever more tangible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently sixth in the Teams’ standings, the #28 crew remains firmly in contention at the front of the championship. The #18 sits fourth overall and will be looking to use the Italian round to continue its strong form and further strengthen its position in the standings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IDEC<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Driver Quotes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LMP2 Oreca 07-Gibson #28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Lafargue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Returning to the ELMS after the intensity of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is always a unique challenge. Imola is a highly technical circuit where precision is required at every moment. We are now at the halfway stage of the season and we know that every point will be crucial in the championship battle.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Job van Uitert<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our podium finish at Le Castellet gave us a great deal of confidence and confirmed that we have the pace to fight at the front. With Paul-Loup returning, we’re back together as a line-up that knows each other extremely well, which is a real advantage. Imola is a demanding circuit where traffic management and consistency will be key. If we can reproduce the level of performance we showed in France, we’ll have everything we need to challenge at the front.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul-Loup Chatin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m delighted to be back alongside Job and Paul for the third round of the ELMS season. Our podium at Le Castellet was a fantastic reward for the entire team’s hard work, and we arrive at Imola determined to build on that momentum. Although Barcelona was a more difficult start to the season, we’ve turned things around and our objective is now to fight consistently for podium finishes\u2014and ultimately for victory. We now have an experienced and highly complementary driver line-up. It’s up to us to continue working together to find the best possible balance on one of the most technical and demanding circuits of the season.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LMP2 Oreca 07-Gibson #18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laurents H\u00f6rr<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We’ve made a very strong start to the season and, above all, we’ve shown great consistency. Sitting fourth in the championship is a reward for all the hard work we’ve put in so far, and we want to keep building on that momentum with the same level of discipline and consistency. Imola presents a very different challenge, where traffic management will be a decisive factor. We can also rely on a fantastic team spirit within the crew. The three of us work extremely well together and constantly support one another, which is a real strength heading into this weekend.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jamie Chadwick<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We can be pleased with how our season has started. The team has shown excellent pace and, most importantly, we’ve been able to remain consistent while avoiding mistakes, which is vital in such a competitive championship. Imola is a demanding circuit where strategy and track position will play a crucial role. Our objective remains unchanged: to continue scoring strong championship points while chasing the podium that has narrowly escaped us so far.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valerio Rinicella<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We’re heading to Imola full of confidence after a very encouraging start to the season, during which we’ve shown we have the pace to fight at the front. It will be a demanding race, with high temperatures and a highly technical circuit, but we’ll do everything we can to score as many points as possible. Racing on home soil is always something special for me and I’m really looking forward to seeing the Italian fans again.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Drawing on the experience gained over recent weeks at the highest level of international endurance racing, the French team will also look to build on its strong European campaign while continuing to develop the next generation of talent through the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, where the history of motorsport is written into every corner, IDEC SPORT is preparing to write another chapter of its 2026 European campaign.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“At Imola, nothing starts from scratch. Every point earned so far now carries even greater significance.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weekend Schedule<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, 3 July<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Free Practice 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Free Practice 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Saturday, 4 July<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Free Practice 3<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Qualifying<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Sunday, 5 July<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4 Hours of Imola \u2013 Race Start: 13:00 (local time)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      2026 ELMS Teams’ Championship Standings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. United Autosports \u2013 40 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Inter Europol Competition \u2013 37 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Forestier Racing by Panis \u2013 26 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. IDEC SPORT #18 \u2013 24 points<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Vector Sport #10 \u2013 18 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. IDEC SPORT #28 \u2013 16 points<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        2026 ELMS Drivers’ Championship Standings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. Benjamin Hanley \/ Gr\u00e9goire Saucy \/ Griffin Peebles \u2013 40 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Bijoy Garg \/ Reshad de G\u00e9rus \u2013 37 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Esteban Masson \/ Louis Rousset \/ Oliver Gray \u2013 26 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Jamie Chadwick \/ Laurents H\u00f6rr \/ Valerio Rinicella \u2013 24 points<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Pietro Fittipaldi \/ Ryan Cullen \/ Vladislav Lomko \u2013 18 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        6. Paul Lafargue \/ Paul-Loup Chatin \/ Job van Uitert \u2013 16 points<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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