Since its rookie start in the 24 Hours eight years ago, IDEC SPORT Racing has made steady progress and routinely delivers its share of excitement during the race. The 92nd running was no exception, with countless twists, turns and tense moments for the #28 ORECA 07-Gibson shared by Paul Lafargue/Job van Uitert/Reshad de Gerus.

In the wake of encouraging free practice sessions, the team clocked the fifth fastest time in the LMP2 category at qualifying. Job van Uitert then landed on the front row for the Hyperpole, coming in second on the timesheet.

The Dutch driver took the first stint of the race, followed by Lafargue and de Gerus. After a textbook start, intermittent rain showers disrupted the team's strategy, changing the order of the stints and complicating the race in general. Impeccable pit stop management and the absence of mistakes despite tricky weather conditions allowed IDEC SPORT Racing to stay in the fight. At 03:44, intense downpours forced Race Control to deploy the safety cars, and at the restart, the French team launched a spectacular comeback, even taking the lead in LMP2 for a time.

Podium Finish that Feels Like Victory

The adrenaliine was palpable in the garage of Lafargue's team all the way to the chequered flag, with memories of last year's fateful tyre puncture still fresh in everyone's minds. In the end, the #28 ORECA crossed the finish line third in LMP2, giving IDEC SPORT Racing its first ever podium at Le Mans.

It also marked the first podium for former driver and current team manager Nicolas Minassian: We worked really hard. We were all in. It's wonderful and I am extremely moved. IDEC SPORT is now a team that has earned a podium finish at Le Mans as well as winning championships. It's a big team with a family core and fantastic energy. This was a brutal running of the race, and we were sweating it through the last corner because we needed to maintain this tiny gap up to the chequered flag. Everyone was on top of their game: no technical errors, no penalties, no driver errors. This third place feels like a win and I am so proud to be part of this great team."

Reshad de Gerus: I learned a lot during this running of the race, which is terrific. And we claimed the third step on the podium. We fought for the win all the way to the finish. We didn't give up and we proved we are capable. I am leaving with two trophies, that of the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans and that of the best average in LMP2 which I am proud to have. But, the driver is nothing without the team.

This first podium is a well-deserved reward for a team who has successfully overcome challenges and established itself as a front runner every season. With flawless strategy and such talented drivers, IDEC SPORT Racing continues to build an outstanding legacy at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.