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🏆 DUQUEINE Team Shines at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will forever be etched in DUQUEINE Team’s history. Despite a tough starting position, the team showcased bold strategy, exceptional resilience, and world-class driving to claim a remarkable 3rd place finish. Here’s a recap of this legendary race.
⚡️ A Challenging Start but a Winning Strategy
Qualifying was far from ideal for DUQUEINE Team. A mechanical issue forced the LMP2 #30 to start from 20th position. However, from the very first laps, Neel Jani set a strong pace, while the team’s strategy started to pay off.
☂️ The Weather Strikes: DUQUEINE Team Reacts Brilliantly
The race took a dramatic turn when Nicolas Pino took over under a threatening sky. Soon, torrential rain hit the circuit, catching many competitors off guard. But DUQUEINE Team made a decisive move by switching to rain tires just before the downpour, gaining a crucial advantage over rivals.
🏎️ A Spectacular Comeback Through the Night
René Binder then took the wheel under extreme conditions. In the rain, the Austrian driver overtook multiple cars, propelling the team into the lead for several hours, supported by flawless pit stops. However, the night brought its own set of challenges, with three consecutive tire punctures that slowed the team’s progress.
💥 A Thrilling Finish and a Well-Deserved Podium
As dawn broke, the battle between IDEC, Alpine, WRT, and DUQUEINE Team intensified, with the fight lasting until the final minutes. Neel Jani, back behind the wheel, delivered a masterful performance to secure 3rd place at the checkered flag. A final twist nearly cost them everything: a suspension failure in the last corner! But the LMP2 #30 held on to clinch a well-earned podium finish.
💪 A Performance to Remember
This podium is a well-deserved reward for the entire DUQUEINE Team, who demonstrated exceptional strategy and endurance throughout the 24-hour race. Now, it’s time for a well-earned break before heading to the second round of the ELMS at Circuit Paul Ricard.
See you on July 7 at the Paul Ricard Circuit for the next challenge!
René BINDER :
Standing on the podium in front of the largest crowd ever at Le Mans is something I will never forget. It will take me a few days to fully realize it, but a huge thank you goes to Gilles Duqueine, Max Favard, and the entire DUQUEINE Team for their efforts in pushing this team to a whole new level. Let’s give our all to keep this momentum going for the rest of the 2023 season!
Neel JANI :
Le Mans 2023 gave us an incredible race with torrential rain, hot weather, and plenty of action inside the car! After a tough qualifying, we wanted to make up for it during the race, and taking the lead halfway through was an exceptional moment for all of us! Unfortunately, a few punctures slowed us down, but we managed to stay in the battle for the podium. Finishing third in the LMP2 category was truly a team effort! The strategy, the pit stops, and my teammates were all amazing! I think we can say that as a one-car team, we can be proud of what we accomplished at Le Mans for this centenary edition!
Nicolas PINO :
It was a race with many traps due to the tough conditions, but we managed to stay out of trouble. The entire DUQUEINE team and its engineers did an amazing job throughout the race, securing this podium and a great reward for everyone. I’m happy with the result and my stints during these 24 hours. We pushed hard in the last 8 hours to fight for the win, but unfortunately, our punctures prevented us from achieving it. The podium is still very special for me and the whole team. Now, let’s focus on the next ELMS race where we are leading the championship!
Max FAVARD :
“Teamwork is crucial in endurance racing. This year, it was essential to have a united and high-performing team. The entire technical staff and drivers were determined not to regret anything and to focus on every detail to deliver a great race! Climbing onto the third step of the podium at the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an achievement for this group of people, highlighted by our three drivers. We’ve had some tough years, but this double 24-hour race resets everything. Now, it’s time for some rest, and the next goal is the ELMS title.
