Jean Glorieux believes DKR Engineering has built a strong foundation for the second half of the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) season after demonstrating front-running LMP2 Pro/Am pace at Imola.
The 2017 Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 champion returned to the ELMS paddock this year and stepped into the Oreca 07 with DKR Engineering. Although the team finished eighth at Imola, Glorieux qualified on the front row and challenged near the head of the field during his opening stint.
With three of the season’s six rounds complete, the Belgian has now turned his attention towards converting that speed into a complete four-hour performance. His next opportunity will come at Spa-Francorchamps, where he hopes to secure a podium in front of his home supporters.
Imola performance confirms DKR’s “raw pace”
Glorieux came within 0.007s of claiming the LMP2 Pro/Am pole position at Imola. Although such a narrow margin left him without the top starting position, his performance placed DKR Engineering on the front row and established the No. 3 Oreca as a genuine contender.
Glorieux then remained involved in the fight near the front during the opening phase of the race. However, the team could not sustain that position across the full four hours and eventually finished eighth.
Despite the disappointing result, Glorieux believes DKR can draw confidence from its speed in Qualifying and during the early stages.
“Absolutely,” Glorieux said to the ELMS when asked if he and the team had taken positives from the Imola weekend. “While the final result didn’t reflect our potential, qualifying on the front row and staying right in the fight during the opening stint proved our raw pace. The DKR Engineering No. 3 car is fast, and executing a clean, competitive run early on gives the entire crew huge confidence. We know the speed is there; we just need to stitch it all together for the full four hours.”
The performance demonstrated that DKR already possesses the pace required to fight at the front. However, Glorieux also recognises that the team must execute every element of the race to convert that potential into a representative result.
Strategy, pit work, traffic management and consistency across each stint will therefore become increasingly important during the final three rounds.
Glorieux embraces depth of LMP2 Pro/Am competition
Glorieux’s return to the ELMS has placed him in one of the championship’s most competitive categories.
The LMP2 Pro/Am field combines professional and Bronze-rated drivers, while every crew competes with the Oreca 07. Consequently, teams must find performance through preparation, setup, strategy and driver execution rather than major differences between machinery.
The Oreca also demands precision because of its aerodynamic performance and high cornering speeds. Glorieux has therefore needed to refine his approach while adapting to the depth of competition around him.
However, he believes DKR has improved its understanding of the car throughout the opening half of the campaign.
“Moving into the LMP2 Pro/Am category is an incredible challenge because the grid depth this season is unmatched. Driving the Oreca 07 requires absolute precision, and battling against such a high calibre of teams pushes us every single lap. The biggest positive is our clear trajectory of growth. We have unlocked great mechanical understanding over these first three rounds, meaning our foundation for the final three races is exceptionally strong.”
That development gives Glorieux confidence as the championship enters its decisive second half.
Rather than relying only on the speed demonstrated at Imola, DKR can now apply knowledge gathered across three different race weekends. The team must use that stronger technical base to improve its performance throughout complete events.
Home support adds significance to Spa return
Spa-Francorchamps represents more than another championship round for Glorieux.
As a Belgian driver, he will compete in front of his home crowd at one of endurance racing’s most historic circuits. The venue’s high-speed corners, elevation changes and unpredictable conditions also create one of the season’s greatest challenges.
Glorieux particularly values the support that Belgian spectators bring to the event. Their presence gives the weekend a distinctive atmosphere that he cannot experience elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the circuit’s layout offers a driving challenge that continues to reward commitment and precision.
“Racing at Spa-Francorchamps is always deeply moving for me because the home crowd brings an energy you cannot replicate elsewhere. The track’s flow, dramatic elevation changes, and rich history make it iconic. My absolute favourite sequence is the climb through Eau Rouge and Radillon. Nailing that compression at full speed, blind over the crest, delivers a pure adrenaline rush that never gets old.”
Eau Rouge and Raidillon place significant physical and mental demands on a driver. The car compresses at the bottom of the hill before climbing sharply towards a blind crest, requiring complete commitment and confidence.
However, that section also represents only one part of Spa’s challenge. Teams must balance straight-line speed with aerodynamic performance through the circuit’s faster corners, while changing weather can quickly alter strategies.
Glorieux sets clear podium target for Spa
DKR Engineering’s Imola performance has encouraged Glorieux to set an ambitious target for his home race.
The team has already shown that it can qualify near the front and compete with the leading LMP2 Pro/Am crews. Therefore, Glorieux views a top-three finish as a realistic objective rather than a distant ambition.
However, he also understands that raw pace alone cannot secure a podium during a four-hour ELMS race.
DKR must maximise its strategy, execute clean pit stops and avoid penalties or incidents. Glorieux believes that complete performance would allow the team to demonstrate its true level.
“A podium finish on home soil is the ultimate target. Given our front-row pace in Italy, aiming for a top-three finish in the LMP2 Pro/Am class is entirely realistic if we run a flawless race. More than anything, a “good result” means maximizing our strategy, avoiding unnecessary penalties, and showing the true potential of our DKR Engineering crew.”
A podium would reward the progress that DKR has made during the opening three rounds. It would also give Glorieux a significant result in front of his home supporters as the team begins the second half of its campaign.
Nevertheless, the Belgian has framed success around execution as much as the final classification. If DKR completes a clean race and maximises the car’s potential, it can establish a platform for the remaining rounds.
Training and business keep Glorieux focused away from racing
Glorieux balances his racing commitments with business interests and physical preparation away from the circuit.
Endurance racing requires drivers to maintain concentration while managing heat, fatigue and sustained physical loads. Therefore, Glorieux dedicates considerable time to fitness work between events.
Running forms an important part of that preparation. It supports his endurance behind the wheel while also helping him clear his mind before returning to competition.
“When I am away from the paddock, I like to balance my life between running my business ventures and spending quality time outdoors. Staying physically fit is essential for endurance racing, so I spend a lot of time running and training. It helps clear my mind, keeps me sharp, and ensures I am always physically prepared whenever it is time to get back behind the wheel.”
That balance allows Glorieux to approach the second half of the ELMS season with renewed focus.
DKR has already demonstrated the speed to challenge near the front of LMP2 Pro/Am. The next task involves combining that pace with complete race execution, beginning with Glorieux’s home event at Spa-Francorchamps.
