24h Le Mans
The 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans produced an exciting battle in the LMP2 category that concluded in another success for Polish outfit Inter Europol Competition. Two years after a historic victory at the Centenary race, the team returns to winning ways thanks to the #43 Oreca 07-Gibson, shared by Jakub Śmiechowski, Tom Dillmann et Nick Yelloly, that eventually saw off the challenge from VDS Panis Racing in the #48 Oreca, and Pro/Am victors AO by TF in the #199 Oreca.
With just 30 minutes left on the clock, it was anyone’s guess which one of two cars – the #43 or the #48 – would emerge on top of the LMP2 standings. VDS Panis Racing (#48 Oreca), well positioned to go on and seal victory, saw its hopes shattered by a broken suspension – a “15-euro” part, according to Olivier Panis’s team – in the final minutes. Inter Europol Competition, despite being penalised for breaking the pitlane speed limit, edged out the French team by 1 minute and 55 seconds at the chequered flag.
Polish driver Jakub Śmiechowski, the mainstay of the Inter Europol Competition project, was sympathetic to their rivals’ predicament. “Obviously, it's a great feeling,” he said after the race. “Tom and Nick did a great job today and yesterday; without them, we couldn't win, and without the whole team support, we wouldn't be able to win either.
I know a little bit the VDS views, because last year we also had a technical issue that potentially prevented us from winning last year as well, and we finished second. So, it's always a difficult feeling. It's not nice, but like it's the case in many of the 24-hour races, you don't always win when you deserve it [...]. I think we both deserved to win today as we were fighting really hard until the end of the race [...]. Obviously, I'm happy it's us, but I feel really bad for them, because it's not the way to lose a race like this.”
Tom Dillmann had previously raced in Hypercar with Floyd Vanwall Racing Team but this maiden Le Mans win justified his decision to switch to LMP2. “It was a really intense race with Panis,” the Frenchman enthused. "We were within 10 seconds for the last six hours, pushing every lap. We won Sebring this year already. I was really happy to win a legendary race like that, but Le Mans is another level. So just amazing. After competing in Hypercar, I decided to switch to LMP2. The opportunity arose with Inter Europol Competition and I love beng part of this team.”
Nick Yelloly, on the other hand, talked about the error that almost cost his team victory. “I knew I'd made the mistake,” he admitted. “I locked the rears going into the pit lane, just trying to make a little bit more time, so we were safer with our fuel numbers. Then, we got pinged for speed in the pitlane. Obviously, I was pretty annoyed at myself. I won't repeat what I said in the helmet, but it was quite angry. I thought those two mistakes were going to cost us the race. Then, unfortunately for them [VDS Panis Racing], they had some suspension issue or something. I'm looking forward very much to coming back again.”
The third LMP2 prototype to cross the finish line, the #199 Oreca 07-Gibson entered by AO by TF, won the Pro/Am title with PJ Hyett, Dane Cameron and Louis Delétraz. A fine performance by the Anglo-American outfit that underlined its consistency and commitment in endurance in the face of increasingly fierce competition. Like last year, the team’s “Spike the Dragon” livery was a big hit with the crowd. Some fans are already dreaming of seeing Spike line up in 2026 along with the Porsche Rexy in LMGT3!
One thing is certain: the LMP2 class has once again lived up to all its promise. Suspense, strategy, emotion and a winner that has taken another step towards 24 Hours of Le Mans legend. Inter Europol Competition has shown that the 2023 victory was no fluke, but indeed the result of sustained hard work and performance.
Enjoy a look back at the #43 Oreca 07-Gibson’s appearance at the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans in the photo gallery below.
