IDEC Sport eyes top five finish in the 4 Hours of Imola this weekend

Written by Ghazlan Atqiya Firmansyah

The No.28 IDEC Sport drivers with their car and the crew | Credit: IDEC SPORT

The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) returned this weekend with the 4 Hours of Imola on Sunday, 6 June. LMP2 championship leader, IDEC Sport, is keen to continue their perfect start to the season and make it three wins in a row and bounce back from their double retirement in Le Mans.

A chance to bounce back from Le Mans

Le Mans was a promising race for both IDEC Sport’s Genesis Magma Racing-backed No.18 and their No.28 car, which fought for a top-five finish. Both cars eventually retired with the same fate - losing their right-rear tyres.

The No.18 IDEC Sport car in Le Mans | Credit: Genesis Newsroom

No.18’s Jamie Chadwick said: “It's been an incredible experience. I don't think anything can fully prepare you for your first Le Mans. It’s been such a pleasure to be a part of it. Obviously disappointing in the end, but still incredible work by the whole team.”

“I’m very frustrated for sure, but at least we take a lot of experience with Jamie for our first 24 Hours of Le Mans”, said Mathys Jaubert, Chadwick’s co-driver. “We’re not happy about the result, but the pace was great.”

The duo reunites with Daniel Juncadella, who did not race for the team in Le Mans due to his prior commitment with TF Sport. Paul-Loup Chatin also returned to the No.28 lineup alongside Paul Lafargue and Job van Uitert, after racing for Alpine in Le Mans.

Looking forward to Imola

Both of the team’s Oreca 07 cars have been configured to ELMS settings after Le Mans. Team Principal Nicolas Minassian said the team will approach the race with humility and aim for a top-five finish.

“I'm very happy to be back at this old-fashioned circuit, which I love, as do all the drivers”, Minassian said. “The cars are in ELMS configuration after Le Mans, and both they and the team are ready.”

“We are approaching this race with humility, without pressure, but with rigour. The goal remains to finish in the top five, to have a clean race, without penalties or accidents. Strategy will be very important because it is difficult to overtake at Imola.”

The No.28 car during its pit stop at last year’s 4 Hours of Imola | Credit: FocusPackMedia / Tim Hearn

Chatin and Juncadella already raced in Imola earlier this season with their respective FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) teams.

“I am very happy to be back with IDEC Sport for this third round of the ELMS and, of course, with my two teammates as well as Jamie, Mathys, and Dani in the No.18 car”, Chatin said.

“Imola is a magnificent circuit that we really like. The team is doing an extraordinary job, and I hope we can give them the result they deserve. Things will eventually turn out well for us. I can't wait to be in Italy!”

Juncadella is excited about his reunion with his No.18 co-drivers after such a long time. He echoes Minassian’s comments about approaching this weekend with humility, considering Imola’s challenging nature.

“I know Imola very well, having raced on this circuit last year and at the start of the season for the WEC. I'm looking forward to reuniting with the team and my teammates after such a long time since the last round at Le Castellet.”

“Of course, we are well placed, but we need to approach this third round with humility. With Jamie and Mathys, we always take it one race at a time, especially since this Italian track is very demanding and difficult to overtake on, which is why it's important to qualify well.”

“Strategy will also play an important role, but I have complete confidence in the team, who know what they're doing”, Juncadella concluded.