Laurents Hörr will return to IDEC Sport for the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) season and challenge for the overall LMP2 title alongside Jamie Chadwick and Valerio Rinicella.
The German previously represented IDEC during the 2023 campaign, when he scored two podium finishes and placed fifth in the championship with Paul Lafargue and Paul-Loup Chatin. He subsequently spent two seasons competing for DKR Engineering in LMP2 Pro/Am, having previously won three LMP3 titles with the team.
Now, Hörr will step back into the championship’s top category as part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Programme. Moreover, his familiarity with IDEC, confidence in his new teammates and experience across both prototype classes have given him clear ambitions for the year ahead.
Previous IDEC experience eases Hörr’s return
Although IDEC has evolved since Hörr’s previous campaign, the German still knows several important figures within the operation. Therefore, he expects those existing relationships to simplify his preparations and help him reintegrate quickly.
Hörr also experienced an important period in the team’s development during 2023, as IDEC had recently moved into its workshop facilities at Circuit Paul Ricard. While personnel and structural changes have followed, his knowledge of the core operation remains relevant.
“Certainly, yes. I’ve been there when they’d just entered the new workshop facilities in Paul Ricard. Obviously, some changes have been made over the past few years, but because I know a lot of key personnel in the team, this really helps.”
Consequently, Hörr can begin the season with a strong understanding of IDEC’s working methods rather than building every relationship from the beginning. That familiarity could prove particularly valuable as the #18 crew prepares to challenge an increasingly competitive LMP2 field.
Chadwick and Rinicella complete promising line-up
Hörr will share the #18 Oreca-Gibson with two drivers who enter the season with significant recent success.
Chadwick made an immediate impact during her first ELMS campaign with IDEC. She claimed three victories and became the first woman to secure an overall ELMS race win. Meanwhile, Rinicella arrives as the 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 champion.
Although Hörr has never shared a race car with either driver, he already knows Rinicella from their time in the Asian Le Mans Series and a previous rookie test with DKR. Furthermore, his early interactions with Chadwick have helped the newly formed trio establish a positive working environment.
“No, I’ve been competing against Valerio in the Asian Le Mans Series. I don’t know if you can say I raced against Jamie last year, because we were not in the same category.
“I met Valerio last year, because during the rookie test, he was also doing laps with DKR, where I helped him. Obviously, I’ve been the lead driver last year in the car, so during the test, I was available to the team, and whoever was in the car. So, we’ve had some contact before. We’ve gotten along well, with each other already last year and I spent a lot of time with him in Paul Ricard. He’s a really, really nice guy and a lot of fun.
“Jamie is also super nice, very calm, very professional. So far, we’ve really had a good time together.”
The three drivers bring different strengths to IDEC’s programme. Hörr contributes extensive prototype experience, Chadwick provides proven ELMS race-winning pace, and Rinicella adds championship success from the Asian Le Mans Series.
As a result, the #18 crew possesses both the speed and experience required to pursue IDEC’s overall championship ambitions.
Familiar faces strengthen IDEC environment
Hörr will also reunite with his former 2023 teammates Lafargue and Chatin, who will compete in IDEC’s #28 Oreca during the new season.
The two cars will race against each other on track. Nevertheless, Hörr expects IDEC’s collaborative culture to allow both crews to share information and support the team’s wider development.
Moreover, he maintains strong personal relationships with both drivers. Chatin provided significant assistance during their previous campaign, while Hörr developed a close friendship with Lafargue.
“IDEC is a team, not in the sense of it’s just an operation, but we all work strongly together. I had a great time in 2023 with Paul and Paul Loup. I’ve received a lot of help from Paul Loup, and I’m very good friends with Paul ever since. So it’s really nice to be with them again, even if sometimes I will have to go against them. But this is racing.
That balance between cooperation and competition could strengthen IDEC’s two-car challenge. While each entry will pursue its own results, the returning relationships should help the team maximise its preparation throughout the campaign.
Genesis programme creates future opportunity
Hörr’s return also forms part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Programme, which has changed its focus for 2026.
During its previous phase, Genesis used the project to prepare personnel for its FIA World Endurance Championship operation and assess potential drivers. However, the programme will now concentrate more directly on driver development.
The #18 crew no longer includes Genesis staff members. Instead, the manufacturer will support the drivers through media work, visibility at selected WEC events and opportunities to assist its Hypercar programme.
“From last year to this year, there are some differences in the programme. Last year it was really to bring staff into WEC, and to get a clearer choice on drivers.
“So now this year, this has changed.We have no more Genesis staff on our car, so it’s mainly focusing on driver development. We are receiving help from Genesis on this side with media. Obviously, we have the reach of being in the programme. We will be in place during some WEC events, and we will try to help the WEC programme as much as we can.
“Jamie is already the test and reserve driver, and I would say Valerio is the future. Genesis is clearly trying to form their future lineups with this programme.
“I don’t want to call things too early, but of course, for me personally, the goal is to do the best job possible to make sure that I will be in their car next year. There’s no guarantee, but it means that they look at me and if I do a good job this year, I have the opportunity to be there.”
Therefore, Hörr enters the season with two closely connected objectives. First, he wants to deliver victories and challenge for the ELMS championship with IDEC. At the same time, strong performances could improve his prospects of joining Genesis at a higher level in the future.
However, he recognises that the programme provides an opportunity rather than a guarantee. Consequently, his results, technical contribution and consistency during 2026 will play important roles in determining his next step.
Hörr welcomes intense LMP2 competition
The 2026 ELMS LMP2 grid features several established teams, race winners and highly rated drivers. Nevertheless, Hörr has chosen to concentrate on IDEC’s capabilities rather than becoming distracted by rival line-ups.
The German believes the team’s preparation and the strength of the #18 crew justify a clear title target. Furthermore, he views the depth of the field as an opportunity to prove himself against some of endurance racing’s strongest competitors.
“I always try to focus on my capabilities and the capabilities of us as a team. No doubt there’s a lot of strong cars, a lot of strong teams, but with the work the team has done and the work we’ve done so far this year, all together, I think we are very capable lineup, and we have nothing else to target but winning.
“To know that you’re one of the best, you need to compete against the best so you have no choice. The ELMS is one of the most competitive championships in the world, the level of drivers we have, the level where the teams are operating. So, it’s the place to be if you want to be a factory driver.”
Accordingly, Hörr sees the ELMS as both a championship objective and an important proving ground. Success in such a closely contested LMP2 field would strengthen his title ambitions while also demonstrating his readiness for a potential factory role.
Barcelona brings positive IDEC memories
The new season will begin at Barcelona, where Hörr claimed an LMP2 podium with IDEC in 2023.
Beyond that previous result, the German enjoys the circuit’s fast and flowing nature. He particularly values the revised final sector and Turn 10, although he considers the opening sector the most enjoyable part of the lap.
“I have really good memories from Barcelona all over the years. Is a nice classic, old school flowing track. I have to say, I’m a big fan of the modifications they have made in the last sector, especially Turn 10, which I think is really nice now. However, for me the first sector is the best part of the track, with the long corner and the sequence of combined corners. It’s a lot of fun.”
Those positive memories give Hörr a promising setting for his return to IDEC. Moreover, Barcelona will provide the first competitive indication of how the new #18 combination compares with the rest of the LMP2 field.
A strong opening result could also allow Hörr, Chadwick and Rinicella to build early momentum in a championship where consistency often proves decisive.
Spa remains Hörr’s standout circuit
While Hörr appreciates the variety across the ELMS calendar, Spa-Francorchamps remains his favourite venue.
The circuit’s proximity to Germany and his extensive experience there have created a strong personal connection. In fact, he considers Spa his home circuit because he has completed more running there than at many tracks in his own country.
“Generally, I think we have a really nice selection of tracks in the ELMS, it’s very hard to beat, but my personal favourite will always be Spa. I’ve spent so much time there, and let’s say from Germany, this is my home track for us. Actually, I think I’ve spent more time in Spa than in any track in Germany. So, for me, the favourite is clearly Spa and when I leave the pit lane, I feel at home.”
However, Hörr must first focus on Barcelona and the opening stages of the campaign. With a familiar team, successful new teammates and support from the Genesis development programme, he enters 2026 with a strong platform.
After two seasons in LMP2 Pro/Am, Hörr now has another opportunity to fight for overall honours. Therefore, neither he nor IDEC Sport will settle for anything less than a full championship challenge.
