\u2022 Blistering 3:33.762 lap puts Tom Dillmann fastest in Hyperpole 1
\n\u2022 Both Inter Europol Competition entries qualify inside the top ten
\n\u2022 Strong pace shown by both LMP2 entries throughout race week
\n\u2022 Focus shifts to the 24 Hours of Le Mans<\/p>\n
After an intensive week at Circuit de la Sarthe, Inter Europol Competition heads into the\u00a094th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans<\/strong>\u00a0with both LMP2 entries firmly in contention.<\/p>\n With scrutineering, Test Day, multiple practice sessions, qualifying and Hyperpole now complete, the team has shown strong pace throughout the\u00a0week, securing top-ten starting positions for both the #43 and #343 entries.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look back at how the week unfolded at Le Mans.<\/p>\n Scrutineering (Pesage)<\/strong><\/p>\n Le Mans week officially got underway on Friday 5th as Inter Europol Competition\u2019s two LMP2 entries successfully completed scrutineering in the city centre of Le Mans.<\/p>\n Held in front of thousands of fans, the annual Pesage provides teams with the opportunity to present their cars and drivers before final technical and administrative checks are completed ahead of the event. Both the #43 and #343 Orecas passed through the process without issue, marking the official start of the team\u2019s 2026 Le Mans campaign.<\/p>\n Later in the evening, drivers, engineers and team members gathered for the official Inter Europol Competition team photo, bringing together the entire Le Mans operation ahead of two weeks of competition at Circuit de la Sarthe.<\/p>\n Sunday 7 June \u2013 Test Day Recap<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s official Test Day provided Inter Europol Competition with its first opportunity to take to Circuit de la Sarthe ahead of race week, with both LMP2 entries completing valuable mileage across the day\u2019s two sessions.<\/p>\n In the morning session, the #43 entry of Kuba \u015amiechowski, Tom Dillmann and Nick Yelloly completed 34 laps and finished second in LMP2. The #343 crew of Bijoy Garg, Reshad De Gerus and Nico M\u00fcller also enjoyed a productive session, completing 36 laps and recording the seventh-fastest LMP2 time.<\/p>\n The afternoon session continued the team\u2019s preparation programme, with the #43 completing a further 42 laps and the #343 adding another 41 laps to its tally. The cars finished 13th and 6th respectively in class as the team worked through tyre evaluations, setup changes and race strategy preparations.<\/p>\n With 62 cars on track, including 19 LMP2 entries, the focus throughout the day remained on gathering data, evaluating performance and building a strong foundation for the week ahead.<\/p>\n Drivers Meet the Fans<\/strong><\/p>\n Tuesday\u2019s official autograph session gave fans the opportunity to meet the drivers ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.<\/p>\n Thousands of spectators visited the main straight throughout the session, with the drivers taking time to sign autographs, pose for photographs and engage with fans.<\/p>\n Free Practice 1:<\/strong> The #43 crew of Kuba \u015amiechowski, Tom Dillmann and Nick Yelloly completed a productive session and finished eighth overall in the LMP2 category. The #343 entry, shared by Bijoy Garg, Reshad De Gerus and Nico M\u00fcller, continued its preparation programme and recorded the 14th fastest time.<\/p>\n With the focus firmly on race preparation, both crews worked through setup evaluations and long-run simulations ahead of qualifying later that evening.<\/p>\n Qualifying<\/strong><\/p>\n Wednesday evening\u2019s qualifying session saw 19 LMP2 entries battle for a place in Hyperpole, with only the top 15 progressing to Thursday\u2019s shootout.<\/p>\n With Silver-rated drivers required to take part, Kuba \u015amiechowski and Bijoy Garg were tasked with qualifying duties.<\/p>\n Both drivers delivered impressive performances under pressure. Garg secured third position in the #343, while \u015amiechowski placed the #43 sixth, comfortably advancing both entries into Hyperpole and continuing the team\u2019s strong form.<\/p>\n Free Practice 2<\/strong><\/p>\n Wednesday night\u2019s two-hour session provided drivers with their first opportunity to experience Circuit de la Sarthe in the darkness.<\/p>\n The iconic night session is one of the most important parts of race preparation, allowing teams to gather valuable data in conditions similar to those encountered during the race itself.<\/p>\n Inter Europol Competition continued to show strong pace, with the #43 finishing fourth in class and the #343 ending the session in 14th position as both crews focused on race setup and long-run performance.<\/p>\n Free Practice 3<\/strong><\/p>\n The final practice session before Hyperpole continued a productive week for Inter Europol Competition.<\/p>\n The #343 entry delivered its strongest result of the week so far, finishing third in class, while the #43 recorded the ninth fastest time. Both cars completed their planned programmes without issue as attention turned towards Thursday evening\u2019s Hyperpole sessions.<\/p>\n Hyperpole<\/strong><\/p>\n Thursday evening delivered another standout performance for Inter Europol Competition as both LMP2 entries successfully progressed through Hyperpole 1 and into the final top-ten shootout.<\/p>\n Tom Dillmann set the pace in Hyperpole 1 aboard the #43, recording the fastest lap of the session with an impressive 3:33.762. Nico M\u00fcller also delivered a strong run in the #343, securing third place and ensuring both Inter Europol Competition entries progressed into Hyperpole 2.<\/p>\n With the final grid positions on the line, Nick Yelloly secured fourth place for the #43, while Reshad De Gerus qualified the #343 in tenth.<\/p>\n The result places both Inter Europol Competition entries firmly in contention heading into the 24 Hours of Le Mans, underlining the pace and preparation shown by the team throughout race week.<\/p>\n Motul Autograph Sessions<\/strong><\/p>\n Drivers from both the #43 and #343 entries took part in autograph sessions at the Motul stand during race week, meeting fans and signing memorabilia ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.<\/p>\n The sessions highlighted the continued partnership between Inter Europol Competition and Motul at one of endurance racing\u2019s biggest events.<\/p>\n Drivers Parade\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Friday afternoon saw the drivers swap the circuit for the streets of Le Mans as thousands of fans gathered in the city centre for the traditional Drivers’ Parade.<\/p>\n One of the most iconic events of race week, the parade gave supporters the opportunity to see the drivers up close ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with competitors from across the field taking part in the celebrations.<\/p>\n With practice and qualifying complete, all attention now turns to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.<\/p>\n Inter Europol Competition arrives at race day with both LMP2 entries inside the top ten on the grid and having demonstrated competitive pace throughout every stage of preparation. As defending LMP2 winners, the team once again heads into the world\u2019s greatest endurance race as one of the category\u2019s leading contenders.<\/p>\n After months of preparation and a productive week at Circuit de la Sarthe, the focus now shifts to the challenge that matters most \u2014\u00a024 hours of racing and the fight for victory in the LMP2 category.<\/strong><\/p>\n Michelin Le Mans Cup – Road to Le Mans<\/strong><\/p>\n Practice & Qualifying<\/strong><\/p>\n Inter Europol Competition\u2019s two LMP3 entries began their Road to Le Mans campaign with a busy programme of practice and qualifying sessions at Circuit de la Sarthe.<\/p>\n The opening practice session was heavily interrupted by red flags, limiting track time and opportunities for both crews to complete representative runs. The #34 entry of Alex Bukhantsov and Shawn Rashid finished 12th, while William Karlsson and Christian Dannemand J\u00f8rgensen placed the #43 car 23rd.<\/p>\n Conditions improved during the second practice session, allowing both entries to complete more productive running. The #34 crew showed encouraging pace to finish second overall, while the #43 entry recorded the 12th fastest time.<\/p>\n Qualifying took place on Thursday afternoon with a one-hour session setting the grid for the opening Road to Le Mans race. In a highly competitive LMP3 field, the #34 qualified 12th, while the #43 secured 24th position.<\/p>\n Race Report\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Inter Europol Competition’s two LMP3 entries took on the Road to Le Mans race\u00a0on Friday morning, with both crews facing a challenging three-hour contest interrupted by multiple safety car periods and full course yellows.<\/p>\n In the #34 Pro\/Am entry, Alex Bukhantsov made an impressive start from 12th on the grid, quickly climbing into the top six during the opening stages. Showing strong pace throughout his stint, he handed over to Shawn Rashid after the mandatory driver change at the halfway point.<\/p>\n Rashid continued the charge and moved into third position as the race entered its final stages, putting the crew firmly in podium contention. However, strategy and tyre age ultimately proved decisive, with a rival on fresher tyres overtaking in the closing stages. Despite narrowly missing out on a podium finish, Bukhantsov and Rashid delivered a strong performance to secure fourth place in class.<\/p>\n The #43 Pro entry endured a more difficult race. Starting from 24th on the grid, Christian Dannemand J\u00f8rgensen completed a clean and consistent opening stint, making steady progress while avoiding trouble during a race filled with interruptions.<\/p>\n William Karlsson took over at the halfway mark and continued to push forward, but contact with an LMGT3 car with just under an hour remaining damaged the #43. Although the team worked to repair the car and return it to the track, a late visit to the garage ultimately limited the crew’s progress. Despite the setback, Karlsson fought on to the chequered flag, with the #43 classified 18th at the finish.<\/p>\n While the results did not fully reflect the pace shown throughout the week, both crews gained valuable experience around Circuit de la Sarthe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u2022 Blistering 3:33.762 lap puts Tom Dillmann fastest in Hyperpole 1 \u2022 Both Inter Europol Competition entries qualify inside the top ten \u2022 Strong pace shown by both LMP2 entries throughout race week \u2022 Focus shifts to the 24 Hours of Le Mans After an intensive week at Circuit de […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":17570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[123,98,50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-24-hours-of-le-mans","category-fia-wec","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nOn Wednesday afternoon, Inter Europol Competition\u2019s two LMP2 entries returned to Circuit de la Sarthe for the opening free practice session.<\/p>\n