Eurointernational kicked off the 2026 campaign of the European Le Mans Series with a strong and promising performance at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, securing a P4 finish after a highly competitive race with Max Van Der Snel, Douwe Dedecker and Matt Richard Bell.
Following encouraging signs in Free Practice, qualifying did not fully reflect the true potential of the Ligier #11 crew, forcing the team to start from the third row of the grid.
Despite this, Eurointernational immediately showed its race pace, executing a strong and consistent performance across all stints. The #11 Ligier steadily worked its way through the field, eventually taking the lead and establishing itself as a contender for a podium finish.
During his stint, Douwe Dedecker delivered an impressive performance, setting the second fastest lap time of the race and confirming the competitiveness of the package. The overall pace of the car remained strong throughout the four-hour contest, with all drivers contributing to a clean and effective race execution.
However, a penalty during one of the pit stops proved costly, dropping the car down the order in the final stages and ultimately denying the team a well-deserved podium. Eurointernational crossed the finish line in fourth position, just shy of the top three.
Reflecting on the weekend, Dedecker highlighted both the positives and the team spirit: “A strong start to the season. Free practice gave us a really positive feeling, and during the race we showed our true pace, even leading until the final hour. It’s a shame about the penalty, but I’m very proud of the whole team — the atmosphere and teamwork really feel like family.”
Max Van Der Snel also emphasized the strong recovery and potential shown: “We worked our way forward into the lead during the race. A penalty changed the outcome, but it’s been a very positive first race with the team and there’s plenty to build on.”
While the final result may leave a hint of frustration, the overall performance in Barcelona confirms Eurointernational as a serious contender in the LMP3 class for the 2026 season.
With strong pace, solid teamwork, and valuable points secured, the focus now shifts to the next round at Le Castellet, where the team will aim to convert potential into a podium result.