Chadwick, Juncadella, and Jaubert Triumph at Paul Ricard
In a gripping conclusion to the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) race at Paul Ricard, Jamie Chadwick, Daniel Juncadella, and Mathys Jaubert clinched victory in the GENESIS Magma Racing-backed #18 IDEC Sport ORECA, solidifying their promising season start. Following a second-place overall finish at Barcelona, the trio delivered a narrow win, crossing the line just 1.8 seconds ahead of Nielsen Racing’s James Allen.
Race Overview
The four-hour race presented challenging wet-dry conditions, leading to a rollercoaster of strategy and skill. Chadwick’s early mishap on lap one dropped the team from fourth to 11th, yet they rebounded effectively. Their performance highlighted their adaptability as the track transitioned through various states, underscoring the importance of tire choices and pit strategies.
"It was one of those races where there were a lot of mistakes going on, but the team played a crucial role," Juncadella remarked. Chadwick expressed elation, noting, "After Barcelona to win again is unexpected, but it’s a great result for the team," making her the first female driver to secure an overall ELMS race victory.
Podium Finishers
Allen’s relentless pursuit in the closing stages showcased his prowess, though he ultimately fell short. His impressive performance helped Nielsen Racing secure its first LMP2 Pro/Am win of the season. “It was really stressful in the car, but my teammates did so well," Allen stated, acknowledging their contributions to the team’s success despite challenging conditions.
Louis Deletraz’s strong final stint placed him second, as he maneuvered past competitors Mathias Beche and Marino Sato. TDS Racing’s ORECA completed the Pro/Am podium after a strategic race marred by setbacks for other strong contenders like AF Corse.
Notable Incidents
The race saw two retirements in LMP2, including the #37 CLX Pure Racing ORECA, which crashed out early on. The Iron Lynx Proton ORECA, after leading portions of the race, also retired due to mechanical issues.
LMP3 Results
CLX Motorsport continued its dominance in LMP3 with a commanding victory led by Paul Lanchere, Adrien Closmenil, and Theodor Jensen in the #17 JS P325 Toyota. M Racing’s Ligier JS P325 secured a close second, while Eurointernational completed the podium sweep for French constructors.
LMGT3 Results
In the LMGT3 category, the #50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari emerged victorious, with contributions from Custodio Toledo, Riccardo Agostini, and Lilou Wadoux. Iron Lynx finished second, marking its first podium as a Mercedes-AMG partner team, while GR Racing rounded out the podium.
Next Steps
The next event on the ELMS calendar is the 4 Hours of Imola, scheduled for July 6th, ahead of the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours next month.
Official Results and Detailed Standings are available on the ELMS website.
