Gibson tributes
This weekend the LMP2 teams competing will pay tribute to Bill Gibson, the co-founder of Gibson Technology, who passed away last month.
All LMP2 cars will sport a tribute vinyl for the race and a minute’s applause on the grid before Sunday’s race has been organised.
The entire Gibson team and several members of Bill’s family, including his daughters, have been invited to the event by the LMEM.
Funeral plans for Bill are still being arranged. Anyone who would like to know details of the funeral can contact the family at funeral@gibsontech.co.uk for more information.
Calendar updates
It’s set to be a busy few weeks for endurance calendar news.
The 2027 European Le Mans Series calendar is expected to be revealed this weekend.
And decisions on the end of the 2026 WEC season and the 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series schedule, which have both been impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, are also expected to be communicated after next week’s WEC race in Brazil.
Le Mans colours for Team Qatar & DKR
The #62 Team Qatar Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 will sport its Le Mans 24 Hours ‘Silver Arrows’ livery for this weekend, due to its positive reception at the race.
At La Sarthe, Abdulla Al-Khelaifi, Julian Hanses and Giuliano Alesi finished 16th in class in the car, and were the only Mercedes-AMG crew to complete the 24 Hours.
This weekend the team is looking to get its season back on track after retiring from Round 2 at Paul Ricard. Al-Khelaifi will also try to extend his Pole streak in LMGT3 and go three-for-three on Saturday in Qualifying.
The other car, which is here sporting its Le Mans colours, is DKR Engineering’s #3 ORECA, which is being driven by Jean Gloreux, Marlon Hernandez and late stand-in Maceo Capietto, who returns to the ELMS in place of Sebastian Alvarez.
World Cup fever?
Whilst World Cup fever has descended on the ELMS paddock this weekend as the tournament reaches its knockout stages, one crew sits in isolation, entirely unaware of the extraordinary sporting event taking place across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Michael Jensen, Malthe Jakobsen and Enzo Trulli, who share the #25 Algarve Pro Racing ORECA, are the only crew in the field without representation in the World Cup, as neither Denmark, nor Italy qualified. It’s a remarkable stat when factoring in the massive expansion to 48 teams for this edition, which was intended to ensure all respectable footballing nations made the Finals.
When challenged by DSC, Jakobsen responded: “Oh, is that on this week?” Whilst Trulli, with typical Italian passion, made some internationally obvious hand gestures before leaving the APR awning, at a pace.
DSC’s staff did have to remind themselves when researching this stat that Germany qualified for the tournament this year, as no Germans have yet been spotted on-site here in Imola, and there’s no mention of the proud sporting nation in the Round of 16 draw. No sign of the Tartan Army either…
Berry confirmed for Imola weekend
Australian racer Martin Berry is here in the ELMS for the first time this season, racing with Proton Competition.
He is a late addition to the team’s driver roster as ‘Bankcy’ – the usual third driver in the #77 Proton Porsche – fractured a vertebra in a one-off British GT appearance at Spa driving for Herberth Motorsport.
United tops testing times
The Collective Test Day at Imola saw United Autosports’ Gregoire Saucy set the best time of the day, a 1:31.721 in the afternoon.
Genesis Trajectory Driver Valerio Rinicella set the best time of the morning, in #18 IDEC Sport ORECA. The lap was a 1:31.768, 0.046 quicker than Reshad De Gerus’ time in the same session aboard the #34 Inter Europol 07 Gibson.
The best LMP3 time was a 1:39.888 set by CLX Motorsport’s Louis Iglesias in the #17 Ligier.
Valentin Hasse Clot topped LMGT3 in the Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin with a 1:42.162.
There was one notable incident to report during the day. Andrew Gilbert had an off in the #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari.
The 296 suffered significant front-end damage, though the team is confident it can be repaired in time for tomorrow’s action.
Support races
Imola is once again the ELMS round that does not feature the regular support package of the Michelin Le Mans Cup and Ligier European Series. In their place, Eurocup 3 makes its second appearance of the season after being on the bill at Paul Ricard, and Porsche Cup Benelux is present for the weekend.
The Porsche field features a two-car entry from current Michelin Le Mans Cup outfit Ajith Red Ant Racing. The Eurocup list includes a familiar name, too: Jakob Bergmeister, the nephew of Porsche legend Jorg and the son of Tim.
Notably, the Eurocup 3 field will be led out on track by a handsome Dallara Stradale (above), which acts as the Safety Car for the series.
