In a thrilling debut at the European Le Mans Series, Théo Pourchaire showcased his potential during the opening round of the 2025 season held in Barcelona this past weekend. The 21-year-old French driver, racing for the Portuguese team Algarve Pro Racing alongside teammates Matthias Kaiser and Lorenzo Fluxa, faced a steep learning curve as he adapted to the rigors of endurance racing.
Pourchaire's journey began with qualifying on Saturday, April 5, where he secured a commendable seventh place. This performance set the stage for his first race experience in the endurance format, a significant step in his racing career. On race day, Pourchaire improved his position, finishing sixth overall, a promising start that hints at his growing prowess in the highly competitive environment of endurance racing.
Meanwhile, the 4 Hours of Barcelona race, which took place on April 6, 2025, saw Sarah Bovy and her teammates, Michelle Gatting and Célia Martin, take the top spot in the LMGT3 category. Driving the Porsche 911 GT3-R N.85 for the Iron Dames team, they dominated the race, leading from start to finish, and marking a significant achievement in their racing careers.
The podium for the LMGT3 category was rounded out by the Ferrari 296 N.57 from Kessel Racing, driven by the trio of Serra, Kimura, and Tuck, who put up a strong fight but ultimately fell short of the Iron Dames. The third spot was claimed by the Porsche 911 GT3-R N.60 from Proton Compétition, featuring Alessio Picariello and his Italian teammates Matteo Cressoni and Claudio Schiavoni, showcasing a competitive field in the GT3 class.
In the LMP3 category, Douwe Dedecker finished third in the Ligier JSP3 N.88, representing the Polish team Inter Europol Competition. This result highlights the growing talent pool in endurance racing, with drivers like Dedecker making their mark.
However, not all teams had a successful outing. The Ginetta from DKR Engineering, driven by Wyatt Brichacek, Rammo, and Mikkel Pedersen, was forced to retire from the race, a disappointing turn of events that underscores the unpredictability of endurance racing.
In the LMP2 category, the Oreca-Gibson N.83 from AF Corse, featuring the Franco-Italian crew of Perrodo, Vaxivière, and Rovera, claimed victory not only in the overall classification but also in the LMP2 Pro-Am category. This win solidifies AF Corse's position as a formidable team in the series. The Oreca-Gibson N.18 from IDEC Sport, driven by Chadwick, Jaubert, and Juncadella, finished in second place, adding to their impressive season start.
The top three in LMP2 was completed by the Oreca-Gibson N.48 from VDS Panis Racing, with drivers Gray, Milesi, and Masson showcasing their skills throughout the race.
In the Michelin Le Mans Cup, the race was marked by a dramatic incident involving Marta Garcia, who was driving the Porsche 911 GT3-R for the Iron Dames. While leading her class, Garcia was involved in a high-speed crash with a Ferrari driven by Eliseo Donno. Fortunately, she emerged unscathed, a testament to the safety measures in modern motorsport.
CLX Motorsport achieved a remarkable double victory in LMP3, with drivers Oltramare and Droux finishing ahead of their teammates Rodolla and Provost, further highlighting the team's dominance in this category.
As the teams reflect on their performances, the anticipation builds for the second round of the European Le Mans Series, scheduled for the weekend of May 4, 2025, at the Castellet circuit in France. With the season just beginning, fans and teams alike are eager to see how the standings will shift as drivers gain experience and teams refine their strategies.
Pourchaire's debut, coupled with the impressive performances from Bovy and her team, sets a thrilling tone for the rest of the season. As he continues to adapt to the endurance format, Pourchaire's journey will be closely watched, with hopes that he can build on this solid start and push for even better results in the races to come.
