ELMS Paul Ricard Race Summary
Paul Ricard, France — The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) kicked off its season at the historic Circuit Paul Ricard, showcasing intense competition across all classes. The race took place under optimal weather conditions, allowing teams to push their vehicles to the limit.
Race Results
- Overall Winner: Team WRT secured a commanding victory, with their #31 car piloted by Dries Vanthoor, Charles Milesi, and Yifei Ye finishing with a time of 3:26:47.2.
- LMP2 Class: In a closely contested LMP2 category, Alpine ELF Matmut Racing emerged victorious with the #36 car driven by André Negrão, Nicolas Lapierre, and Matthieu Vaxivière.
- LMP3 Class: Inter Europol Competition clinched the LMP3 victory with the #13 car, driven by Martin Hippe and Jakub Śmiechowski.
Technical Insights
The event highlighted several key innovations and tire strategies, particularly in LMP2 and LMP3 categories, where teams adopted aggressive pit-stop strategies to maximize their performance. The balance of performance regulations once again sparked debate, as various teams adjusted their setups to gain an edge on the long straights and technical corners of Paul Ricard.
Key Quotes
- Dries Vanthoor (Team WRT): “We had a perfect strategy and the car was fantastic today. The team executed flawlessly during the pit stops, which made all the difference.”
- André Negrão (Alpine ELF Matmut Racing): “Our win was a true team effort. We faced challenges but remained focused and executed our plan.”
As the ELMS season progresses, teams will look to refine their setups and strategies ahead of the next race, eager to capitalize on the early momentum established at Paul Ricard.
