Tom Dillmann has enjoyed plenty of success in since switching to endurance racing, winning the 2022 Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 title with Alexander Matschull in 2022 and the 2024 IMSA Sports Car Championship LMP2 crown in 2024.
The opening round of the 2026 European Le Mans Series in Barcelona saw the green and yellow no43 Oreca-Gibson finish in the top five, a great fight back by the Polish flagged team after the car developed a fault with the power steering, which persisted throughout the four-hour race.
“We kept having the power steering issue for all three drivers,” said Dillmann. “It was switching off randomly, so we lost time all throughout the race but I’m glad we managed it and didn’t have any incident when it happened.
“Our race after the first hour went under the radar but in my book it was an amazing job by the whole team. We were a lap down and behind most of the LMP2 Pro/Am cars and managed to climb back to P5 and salvage 10 points. It was a great recovery with pace, clever strategy and execution. I’m very proud of the whole team.”
Tom Dillmann has also had a lot of success at Le Castellet, finishing 1st in 2022 in the Michelin Le Mans Cup race, winning in LMP2 in 2024 and then standing on the top step of the podium again two years later at the end of the 4 Hours of Le Castellet.
“Paul Ricard usually suits us as a team,” the French driver admitted. “We have won there in 2024, and last year we believe we lost it due to a penalty. The pace is always very strong whereas Barcelona as not been an easy track to master for us, in fact P5 is our best result in the last 3 seasons even though this year, we clearly had the pace for more.”
In 2025 the layout of the track at the Circuit Paul Ricard was changed for the ELMS, with the chicane in the centre of the Mistral Straight being included for the first time. So which layout does Tom Dillmann prefer? “I must admit that I prefer the track without the chicane because it adds an element of choice between medium and high downforce and different gear ratios as well. I enjoyed the challenge of playing with that. But we have been strong on both layouts.”
As in previous season the LMP2 has attracted a big grid of top drivers and teams. How does Tom Dillmann view the field this year?
“I love the challenge of LMP2 as the racing is very pure. There are no excuses, we all have the same material, it’s up to the team and drivers to set up a good car, drive well and execute perfectly. The level is so high that you need all those elements in order to win. I know fans also love categories with different manufacturers, different looks, different sounds and I get that. But in terms of sport and competition, LMP2 is the purest meritocracy you can find in sportscars.
“Between the line ups you also have different compromises which is also interesting, you have what I call the “real silvers” going against younger silvers that have not been upgraded to gold yet. And then a mix with some cars having established professionals and some with aspiring professionals, different compromises.”
After Le Castellet the next ELMS race is in July in Imola but first some of the LMP2 teams, including the no43 Inter Europol Competition, will be racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans where Tom Dillmann, Nick Yelloly and Kuba Smiechowski will be defending the LMP2 crown.
“Winning Le Mans is very special,” said Dillmann. “Let’s say that when I retire, knowing I have achieved such a win will give satisfaction. Going to Le Mans in 2025 I said before the race that we were the favourites in my mind; I had a lot of confidence in our team and my teammates. I haven’t seen all the line ups for this year but I’m sure there will be five or more with a chance to win and we are certainly amongst them. I feel peaceful going there having won it already, but with full focus and motivation as if I hadn’t won it yet.”
Returning to the next race, what would be a good result for the team in Le Castellet? “To win!” was the very short and determined answer from Tom Dillmann.
4 Hours of Le Castellet
The 4 Hours of Le Castellet weekend begins on Friday 1 May with Free Practice 1 and the 30-minute Bronze Driver Collective Test.
Saturday 2 May will feature the second 90-minute Free Practice session followed by qualifying for the 4 Hours of Le Castellet. The 4-hour race takes place on Sunday 3 May, with the race due to start at 12h00 and the chequered flag waved four hours later at 16h00.
Tickets are still available from only 8€. CLICK HERE to visit the event page on the official website of the Circuit Paul Ricard.
LIVE COVERAGE ON FIAWEC+ APP
A proving ground for teams and drivers with Le Mans in their sights, the European Le Mans Series is live for free on FIAWEC+, the official home of ELMS coverage, with full race broadcasts, replays and highlights throughout the season. Stream every ELMS race for free with a FIAWEC+ account on https://plus.fiawec.com/en/european-le-mans-series
