The trio is as popular away from the track than on the track that Lilou and Sébastien were discovering. Supported by Charles Milesi, winner of the event in the LMP2 category last year, the two newcomers quickly found their feet as the team showed good pace from the Test Day.

Charles Milesi continued this momentum at the start to take the No. 1 Oreca-Gibson to the doorstep of the provisional podium until the team received a one-minute stop-and-go penalty for a mistake when eight-time world rally champion Sébastien Ogier entered the pits.
 

The three drivers were dropped from the leading group but continued to push with the same determination throughout the stints to regain their place in an incredibly competitive field with several elite endurance and former Formula 1 drivers.

Back in the top ten in their category in the early hours of Sunday morning, Charles Milesi, Lilou Wadoux and Sébastien Ogier ramped up their pace while optimising their strategy and making the most of their potential. Helped by a faultless job from their technical team, they gained more positions in the final hours to finish ninth, equalling the Richard Mille Racing Team’s best result in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
 

“It was a good race, says Charles Milesi. Lilou really handled the pressure extremely well, and had
an excellent pace throughout the race, as did Sébastien. We managed to avoid the traditional Le Mans hazards with two drivers in their maiden Le Mans race, and that’s satisfying. This result will boost
the team’s confidence and we will try to keep the momentum going at Monza.”

“We are so happy to have finished the race, but above all to have done an excellent job by finishing
in the top ten, adds Lilou Wadoux. Everyone in the team can be proud and it’s a great reward for all of us to see the chequered flag in such a famous event. It was a magical week where I learned so much. I was so excited to experience it that I didn’t at all feel tired. I am still having a hard time taking it all in, but maybe it’s a step that will be significant in my career in the future!”
 

“Now that I’ve discovered this legendary race, and even more so by experiencing it directly as a driver, I can only confirm that it has a truly unique aura, concludes Sébastien Ogier. I loved it! There are a lot of positive things to remember. I learned a lot, I improved my pace and my understanding of many things. I’m also happy that we got through the many challenges of a 24-hour race, except for the unfortunate mistake I made at the end of my opening stint when I entered the pitlane. We drove a consistent, clean race and finishing in the top ten is a reward for the team effort we all put in. With 27 cars starting in this particularly competitive category, it’s a more than respectable result and one that I think we deserve. Well done to my teammates, who did a great job, and a big thank you to the fans who greatly supported us.”
 

The Richard Mille Racing Team scored 16 points in the LMP2 Endurance Trophy, in which the team now occupies ninth place.

“It’s a wonderful revelation, ends Philippe Sinault, team manager. The first two races of the season were legitimately tough as it is never easy to start in endurance racing at Sebring and Spa. However, those races allowed us to get to know each other before the magic of Le Mans created this spark. When I see this trio working today with the team of engineers and mechanics, I can sense a common desire and a great dynamic. It resulted in an almost clean sheet and a good result at the finish. Charles did an excellent job in qualifying and got off to a great start to put us on the provisional podium in this category of specialists. Sébastien immediately got into the right pace and Lilou dove into the deep end with no doubts or apprehension at dusk. This homogeneity explains this great achievement, and I am so proud of their performance that it reminds me of Sophia, Tatiana and Beitske’s debut in the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans. Back then, they also paved the way for a great adventure that owes everything to the will of Richard and Amanda Mille.”
 

(Images © DPPI Production)