As the countdown to the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) begins, Inter Europol Competition has officially confirmed its driver line-ups for the forthcoming season. The organization, known for its success in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, including two class victories, is aiming to secure its first ELMS title, adding to its accolades from the IMSA and Asian Le Mans Series.
The #43 ORECA 07–Gibson will see the return of the dynamic trio composed of Nick Yelloly, Jakub Śmiechowski, and Tom Dillmann, who formed a formidable partnership in previous seasons. Meanwhile, the #34 ORECA will feature a new duo: Bijoy Garg and Reshad De Gerus, both eager to make an impact in the series.
Garg, who clinched the LMP2 category at the prestigious 2024 Le Mans, is back in the ELMS fold after a season spent racing with United Autosports. He has since joined Inter Europol for a comprehensive campaign across several series including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Degurus, the 22-year-old driver from France, is set to make his debut with Inter Europol after showcasing his talent with the Duqueine Team, notably securing pole position at the Barcelona event last season.
“It is a privilege to join a team as successful as Inter Europol for the 2026 season,” said De Gerus. “We share the same goals and determination to maximize our potential and compete at the highest level. I believe we have everything we need to have a great season. I can’t wait to be in Barcelona for the first round of the year!”
The announcement also shed light on some changes in the anticipated line-ups, as Acura IMSA GTP driver Tom Blomqvist was previously linked to the #34 ORECA but has since been removed from the team’s roster.
Reflecting on the previous season, Yelloly articulated his enthusiasm about reuniting with the same crew he raced with last year. “I’m really looking forward to being back with the same crew as last year,” he commented. “We had a very strong season, finishing second in the championship and of course winning Le Mans.” Yelloly, along with his teammates, is focused on taking their performance to the next level, aiming to clinch the much-coveted ELMS title.
“This year we want to go one step further and fight for the ELMS title, which I feel the team has been knocking on the door of for the past few seasons,” Yelloly added. The team's confidence is evident, especially since they will return to Le Mans as defending champions.
Team Principal Sascha Fassbender echoed the optimism within the organization. “I’m really looking forward to the 2026 ELMS season,” he said. “In car #43 we have the same lineup as last year, where we finished second in the championship and won Le Mans, so the objective is clear — to fight for the ELMS title.”
Talking about the #34 entry, Fassbender highlighted the potential of his new drivers, stating, “With the two-driver lineup we will have some interesting strategic possibilities during the season, and I hope we can achieve strong results with both cars across the championship.”
As the Inter Europol Competition prepares for the upcoming season with renewed vigor and ambition, all eyes will be on their performance in the ELMS and at Le Mans. The anticipation builds for the opening round in Barcelona, where the team aims to kick off their campaign with the strength and determination needed to claim their coveted titles.
