VPS Racing makes LMP2 step
In amongst the news that three of LMP2’s big hitters have committed to running the Ligier JS P228, a small but significant detail came in the form of which team would be fielding the Panis Racing effort in the category’s next era.
From 2028 onwards, VPS Racing will be responsible for fielding the 2025 European Le Mans Series title winning programme, which currently sits second in its quest to defend its crown.
VPS Racing, notably, is the first team not currently in LMP2 to be confirmed as joining the class for the new regulations, adding new blood to a formula which has, for the most part, been dominated by established teams in recent years.
It marks the latest stage of a multi-year rise through the ranks for VPS Racing, which was founded in 2021 by Matthieu Vaxiviere, Aurélien Panis and Raphaël Serrano.
“It’s a great new chapter for us,” a team spokesperson told DSC.
“We started in 2021 with the MitJet [a France-based silhouette series], and step-by-step we went to the Alpine Cup, then LMP3 for two years now.
“I think we’ve achieved all the process to be able to run the LMP2 car. We’ve got all the experience from the past. For sure now it will be a new step, and we have way more to learn.
“One or two years ago, it was the plan to have LMP2 in 2028, but we must do our job in the LMP3, and because we are doing really well, and we are working really hard, we have agreed something with Olivier [Panis] for 2028.
“To have the new LMP2 and to start equal with everyone will be a big positive for us. Every time that we do a championship, we do it for the win, so hopefully we will be able to win some races.”
Vector wins Imola appeal
An updated classification has now been issued for the 4 Hours of Imola, after a successful appeal from Vector Sport has seen its #10 ORECA 07 – Gibson LMP2’s disqualification converted into a five-place penalty.
The car was initially disqualified after not proceeding directly to parc ferme post-race, however, the British outfit has successfully argued to the FFSA National Court of Appeal that a disqualification was a maximum penalty, rather than an automatic one, and mitigating circumstances applied.
The decision was therefore made to demote the car from seventh to 12th in the final classification, instead of a disqualification.
Thomas quickest in Bronze Test
TDFS Racing’s Steven Thomas led the way in Friday’s Bronze Driver Collective Test, with the American driver setting a 2:05.630 aboard the #14 ORECA 07 – Gibson LMP2.
Jens Reno Møller was second aboard the Imola-winning #7 Vector Sport ORECA, 0.288 seconds back, with Giorgio Roda third fastest in the #30 Duqueine Team entry.
Alexander Bukhantsov was quickest in LMP3, aboard the #13 Inter Europol Competition Ligier JS P325 – Toyota, whilst Abdulla Ali Al-Khelaifi led LMGT3 aboard the #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG LMGT3.
All 36 eligible cars completed at least five laps in the 30-minute session, which ran without major incident.
Kessel wins 2026 Pit Stop Challenge
Kessel Racing triumphed in yesterday’s Pit Stop Challenge final, as crews battled the rain to record the fastest four-tyre pit stop.
The Swiss outfit, which also topped the qualifying round, finished 1-2 in the semi-final to lock out the LMGT3 final, where its #74 crew bested the sister #57 trio by 12.245 seconds to 12.330 seconds.
M Racing won in LMP3, whilst IDEC Sport’s #18 crew was victorious in LMP2.
IDEC Sport “meeting expectations” despite lack of silverware
After its stunning debut last year, the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Programme-backed #18 IDEC Sport ORECA 07 – Gibson LMP2 has had a quieter start to the ELMS season this time around, with it still chasing its first podium.
Jamie Chadwick, Laurents Hörr and Valerio Rinicella have finished fourth in all three races so far this year, keeping themselves in touch with the championship frontrunners through an impressive display of consistency.
Hörr, therefore, has offered a balanced assessment of their season to-date, but is optimistic for this weekend, after the French squad backed up its “hard work” since Imola with a strong start to on-track action.
“We always want to take a trophy home, but a lot of other cars and drivers on the grid would like to be in our position,” the German said.
“We are meeting our expectations, but we are hoping for more. We’ve been putting a lot of work in during the summer break to move forward and I hope this weekend it can pay off.”
Traffic still key on longest circuit
As the longest circuit on the ELMS calendar, it’d be easier to presume that traffic would be iat it’s least influential this weekend. This, however, doesn’t appear to be the case, with LMP2 drivers still having to battle through their LMP3 and LMGT3 counterparts.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” said IDEC Sport’s Laurent Hörr.
“I feel this year it’s been very hard in general so far. I would have expected with a longer track it would’ve been a bit easier, but Free Practice has been very challenging for us in LMP2. But it’s part of what we like to do, and it’s going to be the task of working around them, making no mistakes or contact, so I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Duqueine Team’s Richard Verschoor highlighted the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps’ “nice flowing corners” as one of the key reasons why this is the case.
“There’s a lot of corners and sectors where you can be stuck for a long time,” the Dutchman explained.
Touring Car champions in the paddock
The ELMS paddock has been graced with the presence of no fewer than three world touring car champions this weekend.
Yvan Müller (WTCC) and Yann Ehrlacher (WTCR & TCR World Tour) are on site in their roles at Müller’s M Racing operation, whilst Andy Priaulx (WTCC) is in attendance in support of his son Sebastian Priaulx, who races the Ford Racing-supported #9 Proton Competition ORECA in LMP2.
When next month’s Lone Star Le Mans is accounted for, and with Jose Maria Lopez (Akkodis ASP Lexus) and Gabriele Tarquini (Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director) on duty there, all but four champions in the history of the WTCC, WTCR and TCR World Tour lineage will have been in attendance at an ACO-rules meeting in just a couple of weeks.
European Le Mans Series remembers Cédric Sbirrazzuoli
The European Le Mans has issued a statement following the passing of Cédric Sbirrazzuoli, aged 39.
It reads: “The European Le Mans Series is deeply saddened by the passing of Cédric Sbirrazzuoli, a talented GT racer who represented his passion for motorsport on some of the biggest stages in endurance racing.
“In 2014, Cédric competed in the European Le Mans Series, taking a well-earned podium finish at the 4 Hours of Red Bull Ring in the GTX class with AF Corse. He also raced in the 2022 Michelin Le Mans Cup.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and everyone in the motorsport community who had the privilege of knowing him and racing alongside him.
“Rest in peace, Cédric.”
AF Corse’s Ferraris are set to run with tribute stickers on the door honouring Cédric this weekend.
Sir Jackie Stewart to attend 6 Hours of Fuji
The FIA WEC has announced that Sir Jackie Stewart will be present at next month’s 6 Hours of Fuji, as part of his efforts with his Race Against Dementia charity. The weekend will feature both Race Against Dementia’s first charity gala dinner in Japan, and a charity auction.
“Returning to Fuji, 60 years after my first Japanese Grand Prix, will be a very special occasion for me personally,” Stewart said. “Today however, the most important race in my life is the race to find a cure for dementia.
“My wife, Helen, was diagnosed with this dreadful illness in 2014, and I am determined to challenge it to the fullest extent. I am extremely grateful to everyone in Japan for supporting me and Race Against Dementia.”
Images courtesy of David Lord, Forestier Racing by VPS and European Le Mans Series
