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Pit Debrief

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2026 | ELMS | Spa | Inter Europol Competition survives chaotic race to claim victory

Karishma Persad016 mins
Inter Europol Competition wins a chaotic 4 Hours of Spa as penalties reshape podium and class battles across the 2026 ELMS field.
Photo Credit: European Le Mans Series | Focus Pack Media
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Inter Europol Competition returned to the top step of the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) podium at Spa-Francorchamps, as Jakub Śmiechowski, Nick Yelloly and Tom Dillmann won a dramatic fourth round of the 2026 season in the #43 Oreca-Gibson.

Dillmann took the chequered flag ahead of the #10 Vector Sport Oreca, but a post-race penalty for the latter promoted Forestier Racing by Panis to second. IDEC Sport completed the overall podium after starting from pole.

AF Corse took LMP2 Pro/Am honours with François Perrodo, Antonio Fuoco and Matthieu Vaxivière. CLX Motorsport inherited the LMP3 victory after the race-winning Rinaldi Racing entry failed post-race scrutineering, while GR Racing secured its first ELMS victory since 2015 in LMGT3.

Before Sunday’s race, IDEC Sport had started the weekend on top in FP1, Steven Thomas led the Bronze Driver Collective Test for TDS Racing and Forestier Racing by Panis headed FP2. Valerio Rinicella then returned IDEC Sport to the front by securing overall pole in a closely fought Qualifying session.

2026 ELMS Spa: FP1: IDEC Sport starts weekend on top

Inter Europol Competition wins a chaotic 4 Hours of Spa as penalties reshape podium and class battles across the 2026 ELMS field.
Photo Credit: European Le Mans Series | FocusPackMedia

Rinicella set the early benchmark during Friday’s opening 90-minute Free Practice session, recording a 2:02.110 in the #18 IDEC Sport Oreca-Gibson.

Esteban Masson followed for Forestier Racing by Panis, 0.932s behind, while Jake Hughes placed Algarve Pro Racing third. Reshad de Gerus took fourth for Inter Europol Competition, only 0.006s behind Hughes, as Malthe Jakobsen’s #20 Algarve Pro Racing Oreca led LMP2 Pro/Am from fifth overall.

CLX Motorsport headed LMP3 through Louis Iglesias, whose 2:12.788 placed the #17 Ligier-Toyota ahead of DKR Engineering and Team Virage. Sérgio Sette Câmara led LMGT3 for Iron Lynx, narrowly beating David Rigon’s AF Corse Ferrari and Parker Thompson’s Racing Spirit of Léman Aston Martin.

FP1 classification

  1. #18 IDEC Sport – LMP2 – 2:02.110 – Leader
  2. #29 Forestier Racing by Panis – LMP2 – 2:03.042 – +0.932
  3. #25 Algarve Pro Racing – LMP2 – 2:03.232 – +1.122
  4. #34 Inter Europol Competition – LMP2 – 2:03.238 – +1.128
  5. #20 Algarve Pro Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:03.262 – +1.152
  6. #43 Inter Europol Competition – LMP2 – 2:03.298 – +1.188
  7. #28 IDEC Sport – LMP2 – 2:03.839 – +1.729
  8. #9 Proton Competition – LMP2 – 2:03.911 – +1.801
  9. #19 Rossa Racing by Virage – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:03.917 – +1.807
  10. #22 United Autosports – LMP2 – 2:03.919 – +1.809
  11. #30 Duqueine Team – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:03.976 – +1.866
  12. #14 TDS Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:03.980 – +1.870
  13. #27 Nielsen Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:04.062 – +1.952
  14. #88 Proton Competition – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:04.224 – +2.114
  15. #3 DKR Engineering – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:04.278 – +2.168
  16. #83 AF Corse – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:04.354 – +2.244
  17. #37 CLX Motorsport – LMP2 – 2:04.431 – +2.321
  18. #21 United Autosports – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:04.592 – +2.482
  19. #47 CLX Motorsport – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:04.759 – +2.649
  20. #99 AO by TF – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:04.821 – +2.711
  21. #24 Nielsen Racing – LMP2 – 2:05.020 – +2.910
  22. #10 Vector Sport – LMP2 – 2:05.365 – +3.255
  23. #7 Vector Sport – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:05.879 – +3.769
  24. #17 CLX Motorsport – LMP3 – 2:12.788 – +10.678
  25. #4 DKR Engineering – LMP3 – 2:12.956 – +10.846
  26. #8 Team Virage – LMP3 – 2:13.847 – +11.737
  27. #13 Inter Europol Competition – LMP3 – 2:13.883 – +11.773
  28. #85 R-ace GP – LMP3 – 2:14.082 – +11.972
  29. #5 Rinaldi Racing – LMP3 – 2:14.286 – +12.176
  30. #35 Ultimate – LMP3 – 2:14.609 – +12.499
  31. #11 Eurointernational – LMP3 – 2:14.726 – +12.616
  32. #68 M Racing – LMP3 – 2:14.907 – +12.797
  33. #31 Racing Spirit of Léman – LMP3 – 2:15.245 – +13.135
  34. #63 Iron Lynx – LMGT3 – 2:17.985 – +15.875
  35. #51 AF Corse – LMGT3 – 2:18.079 – +15.969
  36. #59 Racing Spirit of Léman – LMGT3 – 2:18.081 – +15.971
  37. #75 Proton Competition – LMGT3 – 2:18.292 – +16.182
  38. #50 Richard Mille AF Corse – LMGT3 – 2:18.373 – +16.263
  39. #54 High Class Racing – LMGT3 – 2:18.478 – +16.368
  40. #77 Proton Competition – LMGT3 – 2:18.481 – +16.371
  41. #23 United Autosports – LMGT3 – 2:18.570 – +16.460
  42. #57 Kessel Racing – LMGT3 – 2:18.645 – +16.535
  43. #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx – LMGT3 – 2:18.880 – +16.770
  44. #55 Spirit of Race – LMGT3 – 2:18.976 – +16.866
  45. #86 GR Racing – LMGT3 – 2:19.171 – +17.061
  46. #33 TF Sport – LMGT3 – 2:19.293 – +17.183
  47. #74 Kessel Racing – LMGT3 – 2:19.742 – +17.632

2026 ELMS Spa: Bronze Driver Collective Test: Thomas leads TDS Racing

Thomas topped Friday afternoon’s 30-minute Bronze Driver Collective Test in the #14 TDS Racing Oreca-Gibson. The American produced a 2:05.630 to finish 0.288s ahead of Vector Sport’s Jens Reno Møller.

Giorgio Roda completed an all-LMP2 Pro/Am top three for Duqueine Team, while PJ Hyett and Jean Glorieux followed for AO by TF and DKR Engineering respectively.

Alexander Bukhantsov headed the LMP3 entries in 13th overall for Inter Europol Competition. Abdulla Ali Al-Khelaifi led LMGT3 in the #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG, while all 36 eligible cars recorded times during a session that ran without a major interruption.

Bronze Driver Collective Test classification

  1. #14 TDS Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:05.630 – Leader
  2. #7 Vector Sport – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:05.918 – +0.288
  3. #30 Duqueine Team – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:05.976 – +0.346
  4. #99 AO by TF – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:06.234 – +0.604
  5. #3 DKR Engineering – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:06.367 – +0.737
  6. #83 AF Corse – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:06.508 – +0.878
  7. #19 Rossa Racing by Virage – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:06.601 – +0.971
  8. #20 Algarve Pro Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:06.660 – +1.030
  9. #47 CLX Motorsport – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:07.186 – +1.556
  10. #88 Proton Competition – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:07.240 – +1.610
  11. #21 United Autosports – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:08.152 – +2.522
  12. #27 Nielsen Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:08.796 – +3.166
  13. #13 Inter Europol Competition – LMP3 – 2:14.718 – +9.088
  14. #11 Eurointernational – LMP3 – 2:14.737 – +9.107
  15. #17 CLX Motorsport – LMP3 – 2:14.883 – +9.253
  16. #4 DKR Engineering – LMP3 – 2:14.895 – +9.265
  17. #85 R-ace GP – LMP3 – 2:15.523 – +9.893
  18. #5 Rinaldi Racing – LMP3 – 2:15.813 – +10.183
  19. #31 Racing Spirit of Léman – LMP3 – 2:16.504 – +10.874
  20. #35 Ultimate – LMP3 – 2:16.600 – +10.970
  21. #68 M Racing – LMP3 – 2:17.562 – +11.932
  22. #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx – LMGT3 – 2:18.881 – +13.251
  23. #74 Kessel Racing – LMGT3 – 2:19.097 – +13.467
  24. #33 TF Sport – LMGT3 – 2:19.322 – +13.692
  25. #59 Racing Spirit of Léman – LMGT3 – 2:19.336 – +13.706
  26. #54 High Class Racing – LMGT3 – 2:19.387 – +13.757
  27. #77 Proton Competition – LMGT3 – 2:19.775 – +14.145
  28. #57 Kessel Racing – LMGT3 – 2:20.151 – +14.521
  29. #75 Proton Competition – LMGT3 – 2:20.349 – +14.719
  30. #50 Richard Mille AF Corse – LMGT3 – 2:20.645 – +15.015
  31. #63 Iron Lynx – LMGT3 – 2:20.758 – +15.128
  32. #55 Spirit of Race – LMGT3 – 2:21.269 – +15.639
  33. #86 GR Racing – LMGT3 – 2:22.179 – +16.549
  34. #51 AF Corse – LMGT3 – 2:23.746 – +18.116
  35. #23 United Autosports – LMGT3 – 2:23.979 – +18.349
  36. #8 Team Virage – LMP3 – 2:26.867 – +21.237
  37. #9 Proton Competition – LMP2 – No time
  38. #10 Vector Sport – LMP2 – No time
  39. #18 IDEC Sport – LMP2 – No time
  40. #22 United Autosports – LMP2 – No time
  41. #24 Nielsen Racing – LMP2 – No time
  42. #25 Algarve Pro Racing – LMP2 – No time
  43. #28 IDEC Sport – LMP2 – No time
  44. #29 Forestier Racing by Panis – LMP2 – No time
  45. #34 Inter Europol Competition – LMP2 – No time
  46. #37 CLX Motorsport – LMP2 – No time
  47. #43 Inter Europol Competition – LMP2 – No time

2026 ELMS Spa: FP2: Forestier Racing by Panis takes over at the front

Inter Europol Competition wins a chaotic 4 Hours of Spa as penalties reshape podium and class battles across the 2026 ELMS field.
Photo Credit: European Le Mans Series | FocusPackMedia

Rain before Saturday’s second practice session initially left the circuit damp, but conditions improved as the 90 minutes progressed. Masson eventually moved the #29 Forestier Racing by Panis Oreca to the top with a 2:03.143.

Rinicella remained near the front in second for IDEC Sport, while United Autosports took third with the #22 Oreca. Vaxivière led LMP2 Pro/Am and placed fourth overall for AF Corse, just 1.410s away from Masson.

Pierre-Alexandre Provost topped LMP3 for R-ace GP with a 2:16.540, while Wayne Boyd led LMGT3 in United Autosports’ #23 McLaren. Riccardo Agostini followed in the #50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari, with Fran Rueda third in class for Kessel Racing.

FP2 classification

  1. #29 Forestier Racing by Panis – LMP2 – 2:03.143 – Leader
  2. #18 IDEC Sport – LMP2 – 2:04.273 – +1.130
  3. #22 United Autosports – LMP2 – 2:04.470 – +1.327
  4. #83 AF Corse – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:04.553 – +1.410
  5. #9 Proton Competition – LMP2 – 2:04.796 – +1.653
  6. #37 CLX Motorsport – LMP2 – 2:04.860 – +1.717
  7. #25 Algarve Pro Racing – LMP2 – 2:04.991 – +1.848
  8. #34 Inter Europol Competition – LMP2 – 2:05.294 – +2.151
  9. #99 AO by TF – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:05.405 – +2.262
  10. #24 Nielsen Racing – LMP2 – 2:05.533 – +2.390
  11. #28 IDEC Sport – LMP2 – 2:06.201 – +3.058
  12. #88 Proton Competition – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:06.234 – +3.091
  13. #43 Inter Europol Competition – LMP2 – 2:06.627 – +3.484
  14. #27 Nielsen Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:06.777 – +3.634
  15. #19 Rossa Racing by Virage – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:06.916 – +3.773
  16. #30 Duqueine Team – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:06.941 – +3.798
  17. #10 Vector Sport – LMP2 – 2:07.309 – +4.166
  18. #21 United Autosports – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:07.826 – +4.683
  19. #47 CLX Motorsport – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:10.823 – +7.680
  20. #14 TDS Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:11.211 – +8.068
  21. #3 DKR Engineering – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:15.979 – +12.836
  22. #85 R-ace GP – LMP3 – 2:16.540 – +13.397
  23. #7 Vector Sport – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:16.984 – +13.841
  24. #20 Algarve Pro Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 2:17.119 – +13.976
  25. #17 CLX Motorsport – LMP3 – 2:17.145 – +14.002
  26. #35 Ultimate – LMP3 – 2:17.385 – +14.242
  27. #11 Eurointernational – LMP3 – 2:18.652 – +15.509
  28. #23 United Autosports – LMGT3 – 2:18.893 – +15.750
  29. #50 Richard Mille AF Corse – LMGT3 – 2:19.049 – +15.906
  30. #5 Rinaldi Racing – LMP3 – 2:19.115 – +15.972
  31. #4 DKR Engineering – LMP3 – 2:19.349 – +16.206
  32. #74 Kessel Racing – LMGT3 – 2:19.580 – +16.437
  33. #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx – LMGT3 – 2:19.654 – +16.511
  34. #86 GR Racing – LMGT3 – 2:19.729 – +16.586
  35. #31 Racing Spirit of Léman – LMP3 – 2:19.935 – +16.792
  36. #63 Iron Lynx – LMGT3 – 2:19.989 – +16.846
  37. #33 TF Sport – LMGT3 – 2:20.204 – +17.061
  38. #55 Spirit of Race – LMGT3 – 2:20.282 – +17.139
  39. #77 Proton Competition – LMGT3 – 2:20.989 – +17.846
  40. #57 Kessel Racing – LMGT3 – 2:21.840 – +18.697
  41. #75 Proton Competition – LMGT3 – 2:21.979 – +18.836
  42. #59 Racing Spirit of Léman – LMGT3 – 2:21.996 – +18.853
  43. #54 High Class Racing – LMGT3 – 2:22.606 – +19.463
  44. #51 AF Corse – LMGT3 – 2:23.995 – +20.852
  45. #8 Team Virage – LMP3 – 2:24.530 – +21.387
  46. #68 M Racing – LMP3 – 2:26.038 – +22.895
  47. #13 Inter Europol Competition – LMP3 – 2:26.691 – +23.548

2026 ELMS Spa: LMGT3 Qualifying: McIntosh snatches pole

Inter Europol Competition wins a chaotic 4 Hours of Spa as penalties reshape podium and class battles across the 2026 ELMS field.
Photo Credit: European Le Mans Series | FocusPackMedia

LMGT3 opened Qualifying on a circuit that continued to evolve after the earlier damp conditions. Several drivers began on wet tyres before slicks became the faster choice as the surface improved.

Blake McDonald looked set to take pole for TF Sport after producing a 2:20.826, while Al-Khelaifi also featured near the front for Team Qatar by Iron Lynx. However, Anthony McIntosh delivered at the chequered flag for Racing Spirit of Léman.

McIntosh produced a 2:20.206 in the #59 Aston Martin to beat McDonald by 0.620s. Al-Khelaifi completed the top three, while Richard Mille AF Corse and Proton Competition filled the next two places.

LMGT3 Qualifying classification

  1. #59 Racing Spirit of Léman – 2:20.206 – Pole
  2. #33 TF Sport – 2:20.826 – +0.620
  3. #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx – 2:21.166 – +0.960
  4. #50 Richard Mille AF Corse – 2:21.956 – +1.750
  5. #77 Proton Competition – 2:22.791 – +2.585
  6. #75 Proton Competition – 2:22.806 – +2.600
  7. #74 Kessel Racing – 2:23.554 – +3.348
  8. #54 High Class Racing – 2:24.483 – +4.277
  9. #57 Kessel Racing – 2:25.143 – +4.937
  10. #63 Iron Lynx – 2:26.196 – +5.990
  11. #55 Spirit of Race – 2:26.362 – +6.156
  12. #86 GR Racing – 2:29.183 – +8.977
  13. #51 AF Corse – 2:31.772 – +11.566
  14. #23 United Autosports – 2:34.153 – +13.947

2026 ELMS Spa: LMP3 Qualifying: Provost wins close four-way battle

Provost emerged on top of a rapidly changing LMP3 Qualifying order for R-ace GP. DKR Engineering, CLX Motorsport and Team Virage all threatened throughout the 15-minute session.

Wyatt Brichacek briefly moved DKR Engineering to the front with a 2:12.473, while Iglesias also challenged in the #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier. Provost responded with a 2:12.186 and secured pole by 0.287s.

Iglesias finished third ahead of Team Virage’s #8 Ligier, with Ultimate completing the top five.

LMP3 Qualifying classification

  1. #85 R-ace GP – 2:12.186 – Pole
  2. #4 DKR Engineering – 2:12.473 – +0.287
  3. #17 CLX Motorsport – 2:12.908 – +0.722
  4. #8 Team Virage – 2:13.343 – +1.157
  5. #35 Ultimate – 2:13.520 – +1.334
  6. #5 Rinaldi Racing – 2:13.577 – +1.391
  7. #11 Eurointernational – 2:13.757 – +1.571
  8. #31 Racing Spirit of Léman – 2:14.178 – +1.992
  9. #68 M Racing – 2:14.685 – +2.499
  10. #13 Inter Europol Competition – 2:15.479 – +3.293

2026 ELMS Spa: LMP2 Pro/Am Qualifying: Roda dominates

Roda delivered the clearest Qualifying advantage of the four classes, securing his third LMP2 Pro/Am pole of the season for Duqueine Team.

The Italian recorded a 2:03.578 in the #30 Oreca-Gibson and finished almost a second clear of Jean Glorieux’s #3 DKR Engineering entry. Møller placed Vector Sport third, narrowly ahead of Rossa Racing by Virage.

PJ Hyett completed the top five for AO by TF, while AF Corse qualified 10th before going on to play a much bigger role during Sunday’s race.

LMP2 Pro/Am Qualifying classification

  1. #30 Duqueine Team – 2:03.578 – Pole
  2. #3 DKR Engineering – 2:04.522 – +0.944
  3. #7 Vector Sport – 2:04.583 – +1.005
  4. #19 Rossa Racing by Virage – 2:04.758 – +1.180
  5. #99 AO by TF – 2:04.868 – +1.290
  6. #47 CLX Motorsport – 2:05.209 – +1.631
  7. #20 Algarve Pro Racing – 2:05.603 – +2.025
  8. #88 Proton Competition – 2:05.921 – +2.343
  9. #21 United Autosports – 2:06.476 – +2.898
  10. #83 AF Corse – 2:06.858 – +3.280
  11. #14 TDS Racing – 2:07.186 – +3.608
  12. #27 Nielsen Racing – 2:10.415 – +6.837

2026 ELMS Spa: LMP2 Qualifying: Rinicella converts pace into pole

Rinicella returned IDEC Sport to the top when the outright LMP2 runners completed Saturday’s Qualifying programme.

His first quick effort disappeared for a track-limits infringement, but the Italian responded with a 2:01.268. Dillmann came closest for Inter Europol Competition, finishing just 0.154s behind in the #43 Oreca.

Grégoire Saucy qualified third for United Autosports, only another 0.065s behind Dillmann. De Gerus followed in the second Inter Europol entry, with Hughes and Masson completing a top six covered by 0.577s.

LMP2 Qualifying classification

  1. #18 IDEC Sport – 2:01.268 – Pole
  2. #43 Inter Europol Competition – 2:01.422 – +0.154
  3. #22 United Autosports – 2:01.487 – +0.219
  4. #34 Inter Europol Competition – 2:01.682 – +0.414
  5. #25 Algarve Pro Racing – 2:01.704 – +0.436
  6. #29 Forestier Racing by Panis – 2:01.845 – +0.577
  7. #10 Vector Sport – 2:02.111 – +0.843
  8. #37 CLX Motorsport – 2:02.334 – +1.066
  9. #9 Proton Competition – 2:02.344 – +1.076
  10. #24 Nielsen Racing – 2:02.555 – +1.287
  11. #28 IDEC Sport – 2:02.619 – +1.351

2026 ELMS Spa: Race: six Safety Cars turn contest upside down

Inter Europol Competition wins a chaotic 4 Hours of Spa as penalties reshape podium and class battles across the 2026 ELMS field.
Photo Credit: European Le Mans Series | FocusPackMedia

Jamie Chadwick started the #18 IDEC Sport Oreca from overall pole after Rinicella’s Saturday performance and led into La Source. Behind her, Griffin Peebles made a strong start from third for United Autosports before contact from Bijoy Garg’s #34 Inter Europol Competition car.

Peebles kept the car pointing in the correct direction and emerged second ahead of Śmiechowski. Garg required repairs and later received a 10-second penalty to serve during his next stop for causing the collision.

The race did not complete its opening lap before the first Safety Car. Alex Bukhantsov crashed the #13 Inter Europol Competition LMP3 Ligier at Turn 5, forcing Race Control to neutralise the field.

Peebles attacked Chadwick at the restart and took the overall lead at La Source. Roda controlled LMP2 Pro/Am from pole, while Fabien Michal initially headed LMP3 for R-ace GP before Paul Lanchère moved CLX Motorsport ahead.

McIntosh retained the LMGT3 lead in the pole-starting Racing Spirit of Léman Aston Martin, but interruptions soon began reshaping every class.

Repeated incidents interrupt opening half

A collision between Thomas and Georgios Kolovos left the #47 CLX Motorsport Oreca stranded at the final corner and triggered a Virtual Safety Car, allowing much of the field to make its first scheduled stop.

Racing resumed briefly before contact between the #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari and #54 High Class Racing Porsche sent the Ferrari into the gravel at Turn 7. Race Control called another Safety Car.

The #57 Kessel Racing Ferrari and #8 Team Virage Ligier then collided at Turn 12 shortly after the next restart. Both went into the gravel, prompting another neutralisation, before the #59 Racing Spirit of Léman Aston Martin crashed at Turn 9 and brought the Safety Car back out almost immediately.

The sixth Safety Car arrived around halfway when Custodio Toledo’s #50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari spun following contact with an LMP2 car and struck the barrier. Toledo climbed from the car unaided, but the debris required another extended clean-up.

Inter Europol moves into contention

The repeated interruptions transformed the overall order. By the time the final Safety Car period ended, Yelloly led in the #43 Inter Europol Competition Oreca ahead of Vladislav Lomko’s #10 Vector Sport and Saucy in the #22 United Autosports car.

Vaxivière headed LMP2 Pro/Am for AF Corse, with Jakobsen and Louis Delétraz close behind. Rinaldi Racing established a major advantage in LMP3, while United Autosports’ Boyd led LMGT3 before the class fight tightened again through the following stops.

Vector Sport moved ahead during the next LMP2 pit sequence, sending Pietro Fittipaldi back onto the circuit around eight seconds clear of Dillmann. Rinicella remained close enough to keep IDEC Sport involved from third.

Final pit stop swings race to Inter Europol

The decisive change came during the last round of stops. Inter Europol Competition completed its service considerably quicker than Vector Sport and returned Dillmann to the circuit in front.

Fittipaldi reduced the deficit during the closing laps but could not get close enough to attempt a pass. Dillmann took the chequered flag to secure Inter Europol Competition’s first ELMS victory since Le Castellet in 2024, ending a run that had included six runner-up finishes across the previous two seasons.

Vector Sport initially finished only 3.3s behind, but its result changed after the race. Fittipaldi had driven 1m15.791 less than his mandatory minimum driving time, prompting officials to add 1:50.791 to the #10 car’s result.

The penalty dropped Vector Sport to 17th overall and ninth in LMP2. Forestier Racing by Panis inherited second, while pole-sitter IDEC Sport moved onto the final step of the podium.

AF Corse prevails in LMP2 Pro/Am

AF Corse and AO by TF fought directly for the LMP2 Pro/Am win during the closing stages. Delétraz attacked Vaxivière at the end of the Kemmel Straight, but the pair made contact under braking for Les Combes.

Delétraz spun, while Vaxivière used the escape road and retained the lead. Jakobsen took advantage to move Algarve Pro Racing into second, leaving AO by TF third.

Vaxivière eventually completed the class victory for himself, Perrodo and Fuoco, finishing 3.343s ahead of the #20 Algarve Pro Racing Oreca. Delétraz crossed the line another 5.108s behind.

CLX Motorsport inherits LMP3 victory

Rinaldi Racing appeared to have produced the dominant LMP3 performance of the afternoon, with Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen taking the #5 Ligier to the chequered flag well clear of the chasing field.

Post-race scrutineering changed the result. Officials measured the #5 car’s fuel-tank capacity at 101.5 litres, above the permitted 100-litre maximum, and disqualified the entry.

That promoted defending champions CLX Motorsport and the #17 Ligier of Lanchère, Alexander Jacoby and Iglesias to victory. R-ace GP moved into second, 10.979s behind, while Eurointernational completed the podium.

GR Racing returns to the top step

LMGT3 produced another close fight throughout the final stint, as Hanafin defended GR Racing’s lead from the pursuing Porsche and Mercedes-AMG entries.

The British driver brought the #86 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo home 2.772s ahead of Alessio Picariello’s #77 Proton Competition Porsche. Maxime Martin finished third for Team Qatar by Iron Lynx, with only 12.878s covering the final class podium.

The victory gave Wainwright, Jansen and Hanafin GR Racing’s first ELMS win since 2015 and its first in the LMGT3 category.

Inter Europol Competition wins a chaotic 4 Hours of Spa as penalties reshape podium and class battles across the 2026 ELMS field.
Photo Credit: European Le Mans Series | FocusPackMedia

2026 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps classification

  1. #43 Inter Europol Competition – LMP2 – 93 laps – 4:00:34.540 – Winner
  2. #29 Forestier Racing by Panis – LMP2 – 93 laps – +15.941
  3. #18 IDEC Sport – LMP2 – 93 laps – +33.583
  4. #22 United Autosports – LMP2 – 93 laps – +35.776
  5. #83 AF Corse – LMP2 Pro/Am – 93 laps – +38.384
  6. #20 Algarve Pro Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 93 laps – +41.727
  7. #99 AO by TF – LMP2 Pro/Am – 93 laps – +46.835
  8. #14 TDS Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 93 laps – +54.100
  9. #30 Duqueine Team – LMP2 Pro/Am – 93 laps – +1:13.706
  10. #19 Rossa Racing by Virage – LMP2 Pro/Am – 93 laps – +1:21.622
  11. #7 Vector Sport – LMP2 Pro/Am – 93 laps – +1:26.053
  12. #25 Algarve Pro Racing – LMP2 – 93 laps – +1:26.606
  13. #9 Proton Competition – LMP2 – 93 laps – +1:37.946
  14. #37 CLX Motorsport – LMP2 – 93 laps – +1:40.867
  15. #24 Nielsen Racing – LMP2 – 93 laps – +1:41.365
  16. #27 Nielsen Racing – LMP2 Pro/Am – 93 laps – +1:43.868
  17. #10 Vector Sport – LMP2 – 93 laps – +1:54.170
  18. #28 IDEC Sport – LMP2 – 93 laps – +2:01.149
  19. #34 Inter Europol Competition – LMP2 – 92 laps – 1 lap
  20. #88 Proton Competition – LMP2 Pro/Am – 92 laps – 1 lap
  21. #21 United Autosports – LMP2 Pro/Am – 91 laps – 2 laps
  22. #47 CLX Motorsport – LMP2 Pro/Am – 91 laps – 2 laps
  23. #17 CLX Motorsport – LMP3 – 89 laps – 4 laps
  24. #85 R-ace GP – LMP3 – 89 laps – 4 laps
  25. #11 Eurointernational – LMP3 – 89 laps – 4 laps
  26. #3 DKR Engineering – LMP2 Pro/Am – 89 laps – 4 laps
  27. #31 Racing Spirit of Léman – LMP3 – 88 laps – 5 laps
  28. #8 Team Virage – LMP3 – 88 laps – 5 laps
  29. #86 GR Racing – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  30. #77 Proton Competition – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  31. #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  32. #51 AF Corse – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  33. #75 Proton Competition – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  34. #33 TF Sport – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  35. #55 Spirit of Race – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  36. #63 Iron Lynx – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  37. #54 High Class Racing – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  38. #23 United Autosports – LMGT3 – 87 laps – 6 laps
  39. #74 Kessel Racing – LMGT3 – 86 laps – 7 laps
  40. #59 Racing Spirit of Léman – LMGT3 – 86 laps – 7 laps
  41. #4 DKR Engineering – LMP3 – 85 laps – 8 laps
  42. #68 M Racing – LMP3 – 84 laps – 9 laps
  43. #35 Ultimate – LMP3 – 77 laps – 16 laps
  44. #57 Kessel Racing – LMGT3 – 66 laps – 27 laps
  45. #50 Richard Mille AF Corse – LMGT3 – 38 laps – 55 laps
  46. #13 Inter Europol Competition – LMP3 – 0 laps
    DSQ. #5 Rinaldi Racing – LMP3 – 89 laps

LMP2 classification

  1. #43 Inter Europol Competition – 93 laps – Winner
  2. #29 Forestier Racing by Panis – 93 laps – +15.941
  3. #18 IDEC Sport – 93 laps – +33.583
  4. #22 United Autosports – 93 laps – +35.776
  5. #25 Algarve Pro Racing – 93 laps – +1:26.606
  6. #9 Proton Competition – 93 laps – +1:37.946
  7. #37 CLX Motorsport – 93 laps – +1:40.867
  8. #24 Nielsen Racing – 93 laps – +1:41.365
  9. #10 Vector Sport – 93 laps – +1:54.170
  10. #28 IDEC Sport – 93 laps – +2:01.149
  11. #34 Inter Europol Competition – 92 laps – 1 lap

LMP2 Pro/Am classification

  1. #83 AF Corse – 93 laps – Winner
  2. #20 Algarve Pro Racing – 93 laps – +3.343
  3. #99 AO by TF – 93 laps – +8.451
  4. #14 TDS Racing – 93 laps – +15.716
  5. #30 Duqueine Team – 93 laps – +35.322
  6. #19 Rossa Racing by Virage – 93 laps – +43.238
  7. #7 Vector Sport – 93 laps – +47.669
  8. #27 Nielsen Racing – 93 laps – +1:05.484
  9. #88 Proton Competition – 92 laps – 1 lap
  10. #21 United Autosports – 91 laps – 2 laps
  11. #47 CLX Motorsport – 91 laps – 2 laps
  12. #3 DKR Engineering – 89 laps – 4 laps

LMP3 classification

  1. #17 CLX Motorsport – 89 laps – Winner
  2. #85 R-ace GP – 89 laps – +10.979
  3. #11 Eurointernational – 89 laps – +19.636
  4. #31 Racing Spirit of Léman – 88 laps – 1 lap
  5. #8 Team Virage – 88 laps – 1 lap
  6. #4 DKR Engineering – 85 laps – 4 laps
  7. #68 M Racing – 84 laps – 5 laps
  8. #35 Ultimate – 77 laps – 12 laps
  9. #13 Inter Europol Competition – 0 laps
    DSQ. #5 Rinaldi Racing – 89 laps

LMGT3 classification

  1. #86 GR Racing – 87 laps – Winner
  2. #77 Proton Competition – 87 laps – +2.772
  3. #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx – 87 laps – +12.878
  4. #51 AF Corse – 87 laps – +21.180
  5. #75 Proton Competition – 87 laps – +23.879
  6. #33 TF Sport – 87 laps – +27.554
  7. #55 Spirit of Race – 87 laps – +36.528
  8. #63 Iron Lynx – 87 laps – +37.773
  9. #54 High Class Racing – 87 laps – +55.535
  10. #23 United Autosports – 87 laps – +1:00.357
  11. #74 Kessel Racing – 86 laps – 1 lap
  12. #59 Racing Spirit of Léman – 86 laps – 1 lap
  13. #57 Kessel Racing – 66 laps – 21 laps
  14. #50 Richard Mille AF Corse – 38 laps – 49 laps

Silverstone next

Inter Europol Competition leaves Spa with its first ELMS victory in two years after turning a chaotic race and decisive final pit stop into maximum points. Forestier Racing by Panis continued its strong season with second after Vector Sport’s penalty, while IDEC Sport finally converted its front-running pace into a podium after starting from pole.

AF Corse also capitalised on a fierce final-stint fight to win LMP2 Pro/Am, while CLX Motorsport inherited another important LMP3 victory following Rinaldi Racing’s disqualification. GR Racing’s LMGT3 breakthrough completed a weekend in which all four class battles remained unsettled until the closing stages or beyond the chequered flag.

The 2026 ELMS season continues with the Goodyear 4 Hours of Silverstone on 13 September, leaving just two rounds to decide the championships

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