2017 Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 champion Jean Glorieux will return to the ELMS paddock in 2026 with DKR Engineering, the team he won his title with and with whom he helped win the MLMC Team title in 2020.
During the 2017 season Jean Glorieux and his Spanish teammate Alex Toril, took the title with four wins from seven starts with Glorieux securing five pole positions from six attempts, with Toril securing the pole in the RTLM opener. They finished the season 24 points ahead of the rest of the field.
In 2020 Jean Glorieux finished second behind his DKR teammate Laurents Hörr in the driver’s championship after missing the final race of the season in Portimão. They secured three wins in Le Castellet, Le Mans and Monza, with the Le Castellet victory coming from the pole position secured by Glorieux.
The 41-year-old Belgian last raced in the MLMC in 2021, when he competed for DKR Engineering in the Road to Le Mans and the following year Glorieux returned to the Circuit De La Sarthe to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the team, finishing on the LMP2 Pro/Am podium on his debut.
So what has Jean Glorieux been doing since that great result at Le Mans? “I had a break from racing for the last two seasons, with a pro-am podium in the 2023 Spa 24hrs being my last race,” he said. “I am looking forward to compete again in one of the most beautiful championships and cars of the planet.”
What are you memories of the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans and what was it like to stand on the most famous podium in motorsport? “From my personal experience in the Le Mans support races and by following most of the Le Mans 24h races on television, I know that things can change rapidly when it rains, certainly during the night, and conditions can be very challenging,” Glorieux said.
“The 2022 edition was without any drop of rain, and even with two minor incidents where my co driver and myself lost some time because of a driver error, we were able to get the podium of this legendary race.
“All three drivers and the entire team were rookies at the 24hr race in Le Mans, so we were very proud with this achievement. A boy’s dream coming true."
With two seasons away from the racing scene, Jean is working hard to prepare, but familiarity with the team will certainly help his preparations? “I certainly hope so,” he said. “We will see at the end of each race what the results will be, but my choice to drive with DKR again is definitely no coincidence as I’ve experienced how well organised and most of all committed they are to go for the win.
“DKR is an inspiring team with unparalleled dedication and hard work, combined with kindness, sympathy and family traditions. The results they ‘ve achieved so far, speak for themselves.”
How does he feel about the tough challenge ahead? “Honestly, I haven’t been looking at the other teams or drivers at all. I am convinced the level will be high and that’s part of my motivation to compete in this series. When you go racing, it’s because you like to compete. And when you like to compete, you don’t want to fight for an easy win. There is no reward behind an easy win.
“We will do our utmost best for the start of the season and work from session to session, from race to race and finally see where we end up at the end of the season knowing that we’ve given our 100%.”
The first race is in Spain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. What are his thoughts on the circuit? “I love the track,” Glorieux said without hesitation. “It’s not new to me nor to the team, I like the lay out since 2023 when the final sector chicane got removed, increasing the cornering speed in the last two corners. It will be an interesting season opener, a real old school track with a combination of high, low and mid speed sections.”
And his thoughts on the rest of the ELMS calendar? “I am definitely looking forward to race again at my home track Spa Francorchamps on the 23rd August. I have to admit that the calendar in general is looking fantastic and it is composed of many of my top ranked tracks.”
The opening race of the 2026 European Le Mans Series will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Sunday 12 April.
