Valerio Rinicella put IDEC Sport on pole position for the 2026 European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps after a dramatic qualifying session in changing conditions at the Belgian circuit.
Qualifying provided another reminder of why Spa-Francorchamps is regarded as one of endurance racing’s most challenging venues.
After rain had affected Saturday morning’s Free Practice 2, teams entered qualifying knowing that the track could evolve rapidly.
The LMGT3 session was particularly challenging, with several drivers initially opting for wet-weather tyres before the circuit dried sufficiently for slicks.
By the time the LMP2 field took to the track, the conditions had improved considerably.
IDEC Sport Claims LMP2 Pole
Valerio Rinicella delivered when it mattered most.
The IDEC Sport driver put the No. 18 Oreca-Gibson on pole with a 2:01.268, recovering after losing his first quick lap to track limits.
LMP2 Qualifying – Top 3
- No. 18 IDEC Sport – Valerio Rinicella — 2:01.268
- No. 43 Inter Europol Competition – Tom Dillmann — 2:01.422
- No. 22 United Autosports – Grégoire Saucy — 2:01.487
Just 0.219 seconds separated the top three.
The result also completed an interesting turnaround for IDEC Sport.
After leading FP1, the team had been beaten by Forestier Racing in FP2. When pole position was at stake, however, Rinicella and IDEC Sport found the necessary performance.
LMP2 Pro/Am – Roda Delivers Again
The No. 30 Duqueine Team Oreca secured pole in LMP2 Pro/Am.
No. 30 Duqueine Team – Giorgio Roda — 2:03.578
Roda’s performance was particularly significant as it marked his third pole position of the 2026 ELMS season.
The result puts Duqueine Team in an excellent position for Sunday’s four-hour contest.
LMP3 – Provost Takes First Pole
R-ace GP continued its impressive weekend in LMP3.
Pierre-Alexandre Provost secured pole position in the No. 85 Duqueine with a 2:12.186.
LMP3 Pole
No. 85 R-ace GP – Pierre-Alexandre Provost — 2:12.186
It was Provost’s first ELMS pole position, providing another highlight for R-ace GP after leading the LMP3 field in FP2.
The team will now have the opportunity to convert its strong qualifying performance into a major result over four hours of racing.
LMGT3 – McIntosh Produces Late Lap
The most dramatic qualifying story came in LMGT3.
Anthony McIntosh put the No. 59 Racing Spirit of Léman Aston Martin on pole with a 2:20.206.
LMGT3 Pole
No. 59 Racing Spirit of Léman – Anthony McIntosh — 2:20.206
The result was the team’s first pole position of the season.
McIntosh’s performance was particularly impressive given how quickly the circuit evolved during the session.
The move from wet-weather tyres towards slicks created a tense qualifying battle, with drivers having to find the optimum moment to attack the drying circuit.
Four Poles, Four Different Stories
The four ELMS classes produced four very different qualifying stories.
IDEC Sport returned to the top in LMP2 after Forestier Racing led FP2.
Duqueine Team continued its strong qualifying form in LMP2 Pro/Am.
R-ace GP converted its FP2 advantage into a first LMP3 pole.
And Racing Spirit of Léman produced one of the session’s standout performances to take LMGT3 pole.
Four Hours Now Stand Between the Pole Sitters and Victory
Qualifying is complete, but the biggest challenge is still ahead.
The 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will put the teams through traffic, tyre management, pit stops, driver changes and potentially another battle with the Belgian weather.
From pole, IDEC Sport will have the advantage at the head of LMP2, while Duqueine Team, R-ace GP and Racing Spirit of Léman will lead their respective classes.
But Spa has a habit of changing the script.
After a weekend already shaped by rain, drying asphalt and rapidly changing grip levels, Sunday’s race could provide another chapter.
The grid is set. The pole sitters have done their job. Now Spa awaits the four-hour fight.
