(English) Yelloly, Simmenauer join IEC experienced racers Śmiechowski, Dillmann, Ghiotto & Perino for the 2025 European Le Mans Series

16 grudnia 2024

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Second in the European Le Mans Series earned Inter Europol Competition an automatic entry into the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans. Given its performance in the championship this year, the team believes it can go one step further than being championship contenders this coming season. For 2025, Inter Europol Competition has just one goal with incredibly strong driver lineups in its two LMP2 Oreca entries.

2023 Le Mans class winner and 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship winner Jakub 'Kuba’ Śmiechowski (Silver) and Tom Dillmann (Gold) pair up once again, keen to maintain their impressive momentum gained together in recent competition.

Kuba last competed in IMSA, helping the team and Tom to the 2024 LMP2 title honours. Tom drove with enormous success in both IMSA and the European Le Mans Series in 2024, and the undoubted talent of Nick Yelloly (Platinum) makes for a formidable lineup in the #43 LMP2 entry.

Mayer Shank Racing IMSA driver Nick tried his hand at LMP2 competition in 2024, and naturally, took to it like a duck to water, finishing on the Pro-Am podium in just his third start. In addition to their European Le Mans Series programme, Kuba, Tom and Nick will compete as a trio at the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, and expectations are high!

Luca Ghiotto (Platinum) returns to Inter Europol Competition for the second straight season. The former F2 and IndyCar racer’s speed and race craft are unquestionable; witness his race performances at numerous events, but especially at Paul Ricard, Imola, and Mugello this year, where he was sublime.

Luca is joined in the #34 entry by Pedro Perino (Silver) who most recently competed with the team in the LMP3 class. The young Portuguese racer has bags of talent and, after a successful test in the Oreca 07, post-Portimao is keen to take the next step on his already impressive Prototype career.

Like Nick, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (Gold) is new to the team for 2025, and also comes with plenty of experience. Initially a Porsche driver in numerous regional championships, he took the GT3 route post-COVID and took silver honours in GT World Challenge in 2022. He joined the Asian Le Mans Series and European Le Mans Series in 2024, quickly securing his first podium in the United Arab Emirates.

Six drivers hold the key to Inter Europol Competition’s ELMS LMP2 championship success in 2025; anything less would be deemed a failure.

The six-round season starts in April, once again in Barcelona, takes in Silverstone for the first time in many years, and concludes in Portimao in October. Details of the ELMS LMP3 driver lineup will be confirmed in the new year.

Sascha Fassbender, Team Director
„I am very happy to announce the driver lineups for the 2025 European Le Mans Series. I believe we have very strong lineups in both cars, which should both be capable of fighting for victories in ELMS. Unfortunately, in 2024, we were only able to achieve second place, so next year, we want to go on the full attack and secure the ELMS title.

„I also think that with Kuba, Nick, and Tom, we have a very strong car for Le Mans, allowing us to aim to repeat our success from 2023.”

Jakub 'Kuba’ Śmiechowski, #43
„I’m happy to race again in the European Le Mans Series. I know the series and the circuits, and we have a good lineup with Tom and Nick in the #43, so yes, we can race for wins and the championship. From the team perspective, second last year in LMP2… means just one way to go in 2025.
“First and second at Le Mans over the last two years, is a nice record and I think we have a very good chance again in 2025.”

Tom Dillmann, #43
„Going into a second season together only has benefits, and we can keep building up and working on the final steps we need to take to get the first ELMS title for the team and myself. We have a strong lineup, and I know that behind the scenes, we are getting stronger, too. It will be a strong lineup, and I’m looking forward to the challenge in ELMS as well as Le Mans with a team and the fight for victory.”

Nick Yelloly, #43
“We’re all looking forward to the next European Le Mans Series, and it’s great to be joining a team that has had such fantastic results, something I got to witness as I did the last three rounds. The team is strong and competitive, and with the lineup of myself, Kuba, and Tom going into the new season, we can only be hoping for good things.

„Also, it will be good to race with Inter Europol Competition at Le Mans, a place where they have had great success, so I am looking forward to that as well. Frankly, the aims are clear; we want to be at the front and win the championship. If we can tick that off, along with a Le Mans win, even better.”

Luca Ghiotto, #34
“I’m really happy to be back with the team next year, especially after such a gear first season where we were making gains as the season progressed. So, for me, it makes sense to keep working together and building on what we started together in 2024. Barcelona cannot come soon enough for me…”

Pedro Perino, #34
“Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the decision to make it possible for me to jump into the LMP2 car. I think the lineup is strong, I know Simmenauer had a good year and it’s funny as I used to watch Luca racing on TV when I was a kid. It’s a nice lineup, quick as well, Luca is very strong in attacking in the race and has the ability to perform some amazing overtakes at key moments of the race.

“I have what it takes my side. I have a lot to learn but I’ll learn fast so I’m happy to race with Inter Europol Competition, such a strong team as everyone knows. We can fight for wins and podiums and see where that takes us.”

Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer, #34
“I’m really excited for the upcoming 2025 season in the ELMS LMP2 category with Inter Europol Competition. Joining a new team and taking on fresh challenges always brings new energy and motivation. Inter Europol has a strong reputation in endurance racing, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the team to deliver strong performances and aim for the best results throughout the season.”

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