IDEC Sport has finalised its line-up for the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, with confirmation that Valerio Rinicella will make his debut at the event.
The 19-year-old, who is a member of Genesis Magma Racing’s Trajectory Programme, will share IDEC’s #28 ORECA 07 – Gibson LMP2 with Paul Lafargue and Job van Uitert.
Rinicella currently races IDEC’s #18 ORECA in the European Le Mans Series, whilst Lafargue and van Uitert pilot the sister #28 entry. Lafargue and van Uitert’s regular co-driver, Paul-Loup Chatin, is unavailable for Le Mans due to his Genesis Hypercar drive.
IDEC Sport will be hoping for a strong performance at Le Mans this year, after a disastrous 2025 assault saw both of its cars retire from podium contention after losing wheels.
“I’m really very happy to be participating in this race. It’s a childhood dream coming true,” Rinicella said.
“When I was younger, I used to watch endurance races, GTs, and prototypes, and I dreamed of competing at Le Mans one day. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is both a very long and very demanding race. There’s the night, changing conditions, and a unique intensity on the track. The start of the race will undoubtedly be impressive, with lots of cars, especially the Hypercars.
“In ELMS, we’re often the fastest in LMP2, whereas here, we’ll also have to keep an eye on our rearview mirrors and manage traffic differently. That requires even more concentration and anticipation. For a first-time entry, there’s obviously a lot of excitement, but also a bit of pressure. It’s a race with very experienced drivers, so I still have a lot to learn, especially on the long stints.
“For now, I’m focused on the ELMS season, but as soon as possible, I’ll be talking to my teammates who have a lot of experience. I want to learn as much as possible, whether on the track, in the simulator, or through physical training. A real challenge awaits me.”
The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held from 10th to 14th June.
Image courtesy of IDEC Sport
