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* Double podium finish for Inter Europol Competition for the first round of ELMS
* #34 LMP2 secures P2 after strong two-driver lineup performance
* #13 LMP3 completes podium in P3 after starting from the back
* #43 LMP2 fights back from technical issues to finish P5  

Inter Europol Competition enjoyed a strong start to the European Le Mans Series season at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, securing a double podium finish and competitive results across all three entries in a dramatic opening round.

The race was interrupted early on following a major incident at Turn 2 on the opening lap, bringing out a red flag and extending the race duration. Despite the disruption, the team remained focused and executed a strong race across all classes.

In LMP2, the #34 entry of Reshad de Gerus and Bijoy Garg delivered an outstanding performance to secure P2. Garg made a strong start from pole position, showing impressive pace and consistency during his extended opening stint, running at the front of the field and battling for the lead. A well-timed strategy, including a driver change under Virtual Safety Car, kept the car firmly in contention. De Gerus continued the charge in the second half of the race, with the crew managing strategy to the finish to secure a well-earned podium, underlining the strength of the two-driver line-up.

The sister #43 entry of Kuba Smiechowski, Nick Yelloly and Tom Dillmann, who qualified P3, faced early challenges, with Smiechowski encountering a power steering issue in the opening stint that dropped the car down the order. Yelloly then delivered a strong stint, pushing to regain lost ground and working hard to unlap the car as the team fought back into contention. Dillmann continued the charge in the later stages, showing strong pace as the recovery effort continued. Through solid race execution, the #43 recovered to finish P5, highlighting the resilience and strength of the crew.

In LMP3, the #13 entry of Alex Bukhantsov, Henry Cubides Olarte and Jimmy Chou delivered a standout recovery drive to secure P3. After being disqualified from qualifying due to a technical infringement, the car started from the back of the grid, with Cubides Olarte taking the opening stint as planned before pitting early to hand over to Bukhantsov.

An additional early stop cost the car a lap, however a well-timed Safety Car allowed the crew to recover and rejoin the fight. Bukhantsov produced a strong stint to move the car forward, before Chou maintained position through the middle phase as the team elected to complete both mandatory long stops early.

Cubides Olarte returned to the car for the final hour and delivered an outstanding drive, charging through the field and closing the gap to the leader to just 12 seconds at the flag to secure a well-deserved podium.

The result marks a positive start to the 2026 European Le Mans Series season for Inter Europol Competition, with a double podium finish and strong performances across all entries demonstrating the pace and determination of the team.

The championship continues at the next round in Le Cassellet, France on 3rd May, where Inter Europol Competition will look to build on a successful opening weekend.

QUOTES 

Reshad De Gerus #34:
“The first weekend of the season is done and I’m super happy with how it went. It was a great effort from the whole team, starting with pole position on Saturday, and then a strong race. Bijoy made a great start, managed the traffic well and showed strong pace. It wasn’t an easy race with so many safety cars and full course yellows, which made the strategy difficult, but the engineers did a great job.

We are all aiming for the top, but starting the season with P2 is good points in the bag and puts us on the right foot. I want to thank the team for the hard work and the warm welcome I’ve had this week. Now we push again for Le Castellet.”

Jimmy Chou #13:
„It is a really good start for this season by finishing on the podium. I am very happy with this result, considering we got disqualified in qualifying. Great work from everyone in the team, can’t wait for next race.”

Henry Cubides Olarte #13:
“It was a positive weekend for us. At the end, we were closing in on P1 and P2 very quickly, and after starting from the back and having an extra pit stop, I think we can be very happy with the result. We showed strong pace and hopefully we can carry this into the next rounds.”