The #30 LMP2 succeeded in taking third place on the podium after a fierce battle with its rivals at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The long-awaited centenary edition of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans did not disappoint the public, which was eager for thrills and sensations. The DUQUEINE team shone from start to finish, delivering a spectacular race. During qualifying, the DUQUEINE team suffered a mechanical failure which caused it to start from a modest twentieth position.
Under a radiant sky, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race got underway at 4pm with Neel Jani behind the wheel of the #30 car. However, the weather soon played tricks on Nicolas Pino's first stint, turning the blue skies into heavy rain. The consequences were not long in coming, with multiple run-offs and retirements. But the DUQUEINE Team was quick to react, switching to wet tyres just before the first raindrops, enabling a rapid rise in the standings. During René Binder's exceptional stint, the team took the lead of the race, thanks to the Austrian driver's impeccable driving in the rain and optimised pit stops by the engineers and mechanics. After several hours of leading, the night turned out to be more eventful, with three punctures slowing down the team before dawn. The fierce battle between IDEC, Alpine, WRT and DUQUEINE Team continued until the final minutes of the race. In the end, it was Neel Jani who achieved the exploit of crossing the finish line in third place at 4pm on Sunday!
The 24 Hours of Le Mans had decided to put the DUQUEINE team to the test, after it suffered a broken suspension on the final bend! The team from Alès returns with a well-deserved trophy from this memorable edition of Le Mans. Now it's off to Le Castellet for the second round of the ELMS.
RENE BINDER
"To stand on the podium in front of the biggest crowd ever at Le Mans is something I will never forget. It will take a couple of days to realize what has happened but a big thanks goes to Gilles Duqueine, Max Favard and the entire DUQUEINE Team for their efforts to push this team to the next level. Let's give our very best to keep this momentum for the rest of the 2023 season."
NEEL JANI
"Le Mans 2023 delivered an amazing race with heavy rain, hot weather and a lot of action inside the car! After our difficult quali we wanted to make up for it in the race and that we took the lead after hour 12 was an amazing moment for all of us! Unfortunately, several punctures set us back but we could stay in the hunt for a podium! To finish 3rd at the end in LMP2 was a real team effort! Strategy, pitstops and my teammates all did an amazing job during the 24h! I think it is fair to say that we as a one-car team can be proud of what we have achieved at Le Mans for the centenary
edition!"
NICOLAS PINO
"It was a very tricky race with difficult conditions but we all managed to stay out of problems and all drivers, engineers and the whole DUQUEINE crew did an amazing job during the whole race and this podium is a very nice reward for everybody. I am happy with this podium and with my stints as well during the 24h. We pushed a lot in the last 8 hours to try and get the win but unfortunately two punctures did not allow us to get it. Still, a podium is very special for me and the whole team. We now focus on the next race of the elms where we are leading the championship!"
MAX FAVARD
"Teamwork is important in endurance racing. And this year it was vital to have a cohesive, high-performance team. All the technical staff and drivers were determined to not regret anything and to go to the very end of every detail in order to put on a great race! To finish on the third step of the podium at the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an achievement for this group of people, and one that is sublimated by our three drivers. We've had some difficult years, but this performance sets the record straight. Now it's time to get some rest and set our sights on the ELMS title."