IDEC Sport has unveiled symbolic liveries for the two LMP2 cars that it will field in the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS). The French team has given the #18 and #28 Orecas a shared white base, two prominent stripes and black borders. However, each car carries a distinct colour that reflects its individual identity within the wider programme.
The #28 retains IDEC Sport’s traditional red, while the #18 features black detailing. Together, the designs connect the team’s early racing history with its modern ambitions on the European endurance racing stage.
Minassian welcomes a shared identity
IDEC Sport introduced the design after using a special anniversary livery on the #28 at the final round of the 2025 season in Portimão. That earlier design honoured Paul Lafargue’s racing debut in a Porsche 911 GT3-R alongside his father, Patrice Lafargue. At the same time, it celebrated the first decade of IDEC Sport’s history.
For 2026, the team has adapted that visual concept across both LMP2 entries. Team principal Nicolas Minassian praised the result and highlighted the connection between the cars.
“I find this livery elegant. I also love this more classic look with a true shared identity on both cars through the red and black. Last year we celebrated IDEC SPORT’s 10th anniversary, and this year we will celebrate the team’s 10th participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
Therefore, the new liveries recognise both a completed milestone and another important anniversary that awaits the team during the season.
Lafargue reconnects with the team’s beginnings
Paul Lafargue will share the red-striped #28 with Paul-Loup Chatin and Job Van Uitert. The car’s design directly recalls the team’s origins under the Ruffier Racing colours. Moreover, it represents the progress that transformed an early racing idea into an established European endurance programme.
Lafargue welcomed the return of the design after its appearance at Portimão.
“It’s a pleasure to see this iconic livery again, one that symbolizes our beginnings in motorsports. Already in place for Portimao, the very last race of 2025, it caught our eye. Much appreciated, this design is simple, recognizable, understated, and effective. It perfectly represents who we are at IDEC SPORT.”
As a result, the #28 will carry a design that combines personal history, team heritage and a recognisable modern identity.
Chatin hopes the colours bring further success
Chatin also welcomed the team’s decision to retain the Portimão-inspired appearance. The French driver associated the design with good fortune after the team used it during the final event of the previous campaign. However, he also stressed its wider historical meaning.
“I’m very happy to see the livery we had at Portimao again, which actually brought us some luck. Beyond that, it holds a lot of meaning and is historic for IDEC SPORT. It’s very representative of everything IDEC SPORT has accomplished over the past 10 years. Here we go for a new season that I hope will see the IDEC SPORT colors shine as high as possible.”
Consequently, Chatin enters the new season hoping that the familiar colours will accompany another successful chapter for the team.
Van Uitert praises a clean and retro design
Van Uitert completes the #28 line-up and shares his team-mates’ enthusiasm for the returning livery. The Dutch driver particularly praised its simple appearance and the effectiveness of the red-and-white combination.
“I loved the livery we had in Portimao last year. It’s very clean, simple, and retro. It really stands out, and the white/red combination always works!
The understated design gives the #28 a distinctive presence while preserving the colours that supporters closely associate with IDEC Sport.
Chadwick embraces the #18’s classic appearance
Meanwhile, the #18 will carry black stripes and compete with three drivers from the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Programme. Jamie Chadwick will join Valerio Rinicella and Laurents Hörr in the car. Although the #18 uses a different primary stripe colour, its overall design maintains a close visual relationship with the #28.
Chadwick believes the black-and-white appearance combines elegance with competitive intent.
“The combination of black and white gives the car a very classic yet elegant look, but it also shows just how determined my teammates, IDEC SPORT, and I are to achieve great things on the track for the 2026 season.”
Therefore, the #18’s livery supports the wider team identity while also reflecting the ambition of its young driver line-up.
Rinicella finds confidence in the new look
Rinicella also praised the #18’s sleek design and the meaning behind the IDEC Sport colours. The Italian driver believes the black stripes strengthen the car’s appearance and create a clear presence on the circuit.
“I’m very proud to race under the IDEC colours; it means a lot to me. The livery is very sleek, modern, and functional; it perfectly reflects the team’s identity. The two black lines beautifully highlight the car, giving it a strong presence on the track and making it shine. It’s a design that inspires confidence and motivates you to push yourself, knowing that you represent something solid and professional. ”
In addition, Rinicella views the design as a source of motivation as he represents both IDEC Sport and the Genesis development programme during the 2026 campaign.
Hörr values the balance between eras
Hörr completes the #18 line-up and believes the livery successfully combines traditional and contemporary influences. Rather than relying on complicated graphics, IDEC Sport has created an uncluttered design that allows both cars to stand apart from their rivals.
“This design perfectly captures what I love—both classic and modern. The simplicity of this livery allows us to stand out, which is exactly what I appreciate.”
Accordingly, the #18 and #28 will share a recognisable design philosophy despite their contrasting black and red details.
IDEC Sport carries its history into 2026
IDEC Sport’s new liveries link the team’s earliest racing experiences with the programme that now competes among Europe’s leading endurance teams.
The white base creates a clean foundation, while the red and black stripes distinguish the two entries. Furthermore, the lines that extend from the nose to the rear symbolise the team’s consistency, growth and progress over the past decade.
The #28 will preserve IDEC Sport’s historic red identity, while the #18 will introduce a darker look for its Genesis-backed line-up. Nevertheless, both cars will represent one team and one decade-long journey when the 2026 ELMS season begins.
