Lotterer's experience, a "manna in the ointment" for IDEC Sport and Genesis at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

After two rounds of the European Le Mans Series, the No. 18 crew of Mathys Jaubert, Jamie Chadwick, and Daniel Juncadella has so far had a clean sweep. Winners of the first two races of the season in their category – IDEC achieved second place in Barcelona behind the No. 83 Pro/Am crew – they seem to be in the know before taking part in the 24H of Le MansMathys Jaubert says he is delighted with this opportunity.

"It's special, it's been a dream of mine since I was little to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Racing here at 20 years old is exceptional, and with Genesis and IDEC Sport behind me it's pretty crazy." he says, already focused on the future. Indeed, IDEC Sport arrives at Le Mans with the arrival of Genesis in the Hypercar category as a backdrop. WEC from next season. In this context, Daniel Juncadella, already involved with Corvette in LMGT3, leaves his place to the very experienced André Lotterer, three-time winner of the event in the LMP1 category, and fully involved in the Genesis project at this stage.

"André brings us a lot. We saw it during the tests we carried out at Le Castellet, it was just a short day, but he has already helped us a lot, adds Mathys JaubertHis knowledge of the track allows us to see all the mistakes we should avoid. He will bring us a lot. I also have no doubt about his top speed." Quick to remind that the regulations imposed by the 24 Hours of Le Mans make the cars in the LMP2 category slower than in ELMS, Mathys Jaubert will be able to rely on the feedback from his elder, who is visibly very comfortable alongside his young teammates.

Lotterer wants to pass on his experience

“It’s my first time in LMP2, I’ve never driven one before, recalls the one who is about to begin his 14th year^e participation in Le Mans. I did a day of testing at Paul-Ricard, and I immediately felt at home with this car which is very agile, very instinctive, natural to drive. It does what you ask of it so you quickly feel confident. The team is also very good, they have already done a very good job by winning the two races in ELMS. And then, all this in collaboration with Genesis which will arrive next year, it is important to be there now and to share this experience between IDEC and Genesis. They will learn a lot at the operational level, in particular by bringing mechanics from rally and involving them in the team."

Members of the Genesis Trajectory Program, Mathys Jaubert and Jamie Chadwick, who make up the team, will benefit from a kind of full-scale training session at Le Mans. To be selected, they will have to prove their worth and gain confidence alongside their teammate of the week, who is particularly inclined to share and save time for the team with a view to rapid progression.

“This experience is truly a godsend, I couldn’t have hoped for better! I left Porsche as a world champion and I thought I would finish my career with them, but the management didn't stimulate me so much anymore, agrees André Lotterer. They were going from three to two drivers in WEC, they told me that I could stay to do GT or become an ambassador… But by calling Cyril, I quickly understood the ambitions they had and it's really perfect at this stage of my career"

Genesis is already preparing for 2026

"The goal is to create something special with the necessary resources. The brand arriving next year is very dynamic. They are entering the WEC, but also Europe and all over the world with their cars, and the fact that they have chosen motorsport to inject adrenaline into their products is great." Thrilled by his new role, the German driver intends to inject some positive momentum into the team before Genesis' arrival next year. With Luis Felipe Derani having already completed simulator tests, the car is expected to undergo its first test runs next August. André Lottrer is confident in this regard.

"I hope we'll be able to attack quite quickly. I think the car will be well-born. They (Oreca. Editor's note) have experience with Alpine and Acura in the United States, it should be completed. Regarding the engine, reliability will have to be there, but it's running on the bench, and the team is working to ensure there are no problems. I think we should quickly find our rhythm. What setting window we can operate in, the shock absorbers, the aero window... these questions are important, as are the hybrid and braking systems which play a big role. Our role will be to quickly understand the car."

In the meantime, IDEC Sport is aiming for a good result this year at the Le Mans circuit in LMP2. For Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert's first participation, confidence would certainly be boosted by another victory for the crew, with the support of André Lotterer.

Comments collected by Michaël Duforest, in Le Mans.

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