Jakub ‘Kuba’ Smiechowski, Clement Novalak and Vlad Lomko will compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the #34 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07 as the team act as reigning LMP2 winners from last year.
After claiming their first Le Mans victory in last year’s Centenary Edition, the Polish-run team will run a mostly different driver lineup for the race this time round with just one Oreca on 15-16 June.
For the 92nd running of the historic French endurance classic, Smiechowski will return to La Sarthe having done two race starts in his first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaign for 2024.
European Le Mans Series drivers Novalak and Lomko expect to bring the competition against a thoroughly competitive LMP2 field, with the former driver marking his Le Mans debut.
Smiechowski said: “It seems that Le Mans actually chooses its winner, so all we can really do is to go there and maximise our chances. We’re in a good position to do it, it’s our goal, and the result will then come to us.
“As the defending winner, there is no real pressure; in fact, the opposite is true, as we have achieved what we wanted to achieve. For me personally, whatever comes after—I feel good with what we have already done—but obviously, I want to go for another win.”
Novalak added: “It’s my second take of a 24 Hours race this year, and hopefully, this will be smoother for me, having eventually missed out on the Rolex 24 at Daytona. I’m really looking forward to it; it’s a driver’s favourite and one that we all look forward to immensely.
“Being with such a strong team, one that won last year, gives me so much confidence.
“There will be a lot of preparation ahead, but running at night at such a great circuit and dealing with the challenges as they come along will be fun.”
“It’s an honour to be joining Inter Europol Competition for Le Mans,” concluded Lomko.
“I am confident ahead of the race; Kuba has already won this race and has the experience to do it again, while we know Clem is quick.
“Last year, I took part but didn’t finish, so this year, I hope to go the distance with the #34. The team is really experienced and has already done one 24-hour race this year, and we were rather unlucky not to get a podium at Daytona.
“In the run-up to the event, I am racing with the team in European Le Mans this weekend at Paul Ricard; then I will do a lot of simulator work. Maybe I will see if the other two drivers wish to do a 24-hour sim.
“This is useful in helping me to prepare. I can’t wait.”
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