Inter Europol Competition has made a key announcement regarding the lineup for its No. 34 Oreca 07 Gibson for the upcoming European Le Mans Series (ELMS) season. The team confirmed that Reshad de Gerus will represent the squad alongside Bijoy Garg, replacing Tom Blomqvist, who will no longer be part of the team.
"Earlier versions of the ELMS entry list had stated that Acura IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship racer Blomqvist would share the No. 34 machine with Bijoy Garg and a yet-to-be-confirmed third driver," the announcement revealed. However, the latest update from the team clarified that Blomqvist’s exit from the lineup is definitive, though the reasons behind the decision remain unexplained.
The introduction of de Gerus brings a fresh dynamic to the team, especially as he brings prior experience from competing with Duqueine and IDEC Sport in the ELMS. Team principal Sascha Fassbender expressed confidence in the new duo, emphasizing the potential for strong results in the championship.
"For car No. 34 we have two young drivers with Bijoy, who continues to show his strong commitment to the team through his programmes in IMSA, Asian LMS, ELMS and Le Mans," said Fassbender. "As a Silver driver, he has great talent and will be strong for us. Reshad already has good experience for his age, having competed in several ELMS seasons and showing impressive pace, including multiple pole positions."
Having fielded a competitive lineup in previous seasons, including Nick Yelloly, Tom Dillmann, and Jakub Smiechowski, whose joint performance led to a runner-up finish in the ELMS last year, Inter Europol hopes to maintain its competitive edge. The trio also secured a remarkable victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and they will continue this year driving the No. 43 Oreca.
"In car No. 43 we have the same lineup as last year, so the objective is clear — to fight for the ELMS title," Fassbender added, hinting at the team's aspirations for the upcoming season.
The strategic layout of a two-driver lineup is expected to yield some interesting tactical options throughout the season. With the combination of de Gerus and Garg, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching for how this new partnership evolves and performs during the races ahead.
Overall, the changes within Inter Europol’s roster prompt questions about team dynamics and the implications for their competition in the ELMS. With the season approaching, the attention will shift towards how effectively the new pair can contribute to the team's overall objectives and performance on the track.
As the series approaches, the motorsport community looks forward to the upcoming races, eager to see how the new driver lineup will impact the championship landscape. Both fans and competitors will be closely monitoring the results as teams finalize their preparations for a challenging season ahead.
