The Oreca #28 IDEC SPORT has won it all in Portimao! Paul Lafargue, Paul-Loup Chatin and Memo Rojas have become 2019 champions in the European Le Mans Series after winning their second event of the season.
IDEC SPORT has won the 2019 European Le Mans Series. The Oreca #28 did it in the finest style by winning the Portimao 4-Hour Race, the final meeting of the season.
The Portimao 4-Hour Race was one of the most competitive of the season with leaders changing places all the time with overall victory going from G-Drive to IDEC SPORT and back again.
The two teams competing for the title gave it their all and it was a fight to the end. G-Drive got a drive-through after the two cars collided.
Victory went to IDEC SPORT, under pressure until the end of the race as the second car finished 2 seconds behind when the chequered flag was waved. The drivers – Paul Lafargue, Paul-Loup Chatin and Memo Rojas got their second win and fourth place on the podium, and in so doing the championship title for the European endurance championship.
The excitement is obvious with IDEC SPORT even if the protocol was respected and they carried out interviews before celebrating.
Paul Lafargue: “I can’t find the words. It’s just all so crazy. The team was set up in 2015 and we’re a fairly, so I is incredible. I gave it my all and knew what I had to do without thinking about it. Everyone drove well and we had the right strategy. We didn’t make any mistakes.”
Mémo Rojas: “This has to be one of the best achievements in my career. This is my sixth title at the wheel of a prototype and the second in Europe. I couldn’t be happier than winning this with IDEC SPORT. They have been my family for two years. There is a balance between the race, the competition and the fun. The team fully deserves this. I’m going to enjoy this now.”
Paul-Loup Chatin: “What we have achieved over the past two years is exceptional and I’m over the moon for the team. We deserve this. We worked so hard in what was a family atmosphere. We had a perfect race this weekend. My thoughts go out to Paul as this is a very special occasion. To be able to share such a moment with the others is incredible.”
If the drivers are excited, Patrice Lafargue is clearly over the moon. The man in red showed he is so proud of all his men: “This was a crazy weekend. I wasn’t expecting that. I’m pleased for the whole of the team, including the drivers, who have been incredible, and especially for the mechanics, who did an amazing job in Spa. I’m proud of the atmosphere in the team. We never get worked up and can sit back and enjoy this now. I would like to congratulate our rivals, as they have been such great teams. It’s incredible for us to have won against such great teams.”
IDEC SPORT’s adventures are not over as the night in Portugal is far from over and as champions of the European Le Mans Series, IDEC SPORT has earned its place in the 2020 Le Mans 24-Hour Race.
