Forestier Racing by Panis launched their European Le Mans Series title defense in spectacular fashion, claiming victory at the 4 Hours of Barcelona despite facing significant adversity throughout the chaotic race.
The TDS Racing-run #29 ORECA 07-Gibson, driven by Louis Rousset, Oliver Gray and Esteban Masson, had to overcome three time penalties in a race punctuated by multiple safety car periods and the constant threat of rain that ultimately never materialized.
Masson emerged from the final round of pit stops in fourth position but quickly carved his way through the field on fresher Goodyear tires. The Frenchman's decisive moment came with just 11 minutes remaining when he executed a stunning double overtake.
An opportune moment allowed Masson to pass both Ben Hanley's #22 United Autosports and Jack Doohan's #24 Nielsen Racing entries in a single move through the final sector. The momentum continued as he caught Reshad De Gérus' #34 Inter Europol Competition car.
De Gérus and co-driver Bijoy Garg secured second place, while the #22 United Autosports ORECA completed the overall podium. Nielsen Racing's hopes of a fourth-place finish were dashed in the closing minutes when a suspension failure forced Jack Doohan to limp home in seventh position.
The LMP2 Pro/Am category saw the #20 Algarve Pro Racing ORECA of Michael Jensen, Enzo Trulli and Malthe Jakobsen claim victory following an intense duel with the #30 Duqueine Team entry. Duqueine's Richard Verschoor had led until the final pit stops, but a shorter stop strategy enabled Jakobsen to emerge ahead comfortably.
A post-race 30-second time penalty subsequently dropped the #30 ORECA to third, promoting the #83 AF Corse entry to second position in the Pro/Am classification.
Rinaldi Racing celebrated a successful debut with their new #5 Ligier JS P325-Toyota in LMP3. José Fernandes Cautela, Alvise Rodella and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen didn't take the class lead until after the final pit stops, but Gaarde Pedersen brought the car home with an 11.881-second margin over the #85 R-ace GP Duqueine D09.
LMGT3 provided equally compelling action, with the #75 Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 R driven by Matt Kurzejewski, Richard Lietz and Thomas Sargent claiming class honors. The pole-sitting #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG had controlled much of the race, with ELMS debutant Abdulla Ali Al-Khelaifi proving to be the standout performer among Bronze-rated drivers.
The final safety car period bunched the field and placed the #75 Porsche directly behind the leading Mercedes-AMG. After Lietz had stalked Julian Hanses throughout the penultimate stint, Thomas Sargent took over the pursuit of Adam Christodoulou before making his move.
Sargent pounced around the outside of Turn 5 in traffic with 33 minutes remaining, then proceeded to pull away from the #62 Mercedes-AMG while holding off a charging Garnet Patterson in the #23 United Autosports McLaren LMGT3 Evo. The Australian secured victory by 3.004 seconds.
The #57 Kessel Racing Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo completed the class podium in third, while the previously dominant #62 Mercedes-AMG fell to fourth position.
