A podium finish in Paul Ricard has given Job van Uitert fresh momentum ahead of one of the most important races of the year. With Le Mans approaching, the Dutchman discusses the challenges awaiting him, his continued aspirations to reach the Hypercar, and the opportunities he hopes to pursue beyond endurance racing’s biggest stage.

The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) season started in April and the crew of the #28 IDEC Sport LMP2 car drove to a podium in Paul Ricard. A proud moment for them, as Van Uitert recalls the last time he and his teammates sprayed champagne and collected the silverware: “That was in 2024, so it was good that we managed to get a podium!” Van Uitert tells GT REPORT.

“Of course, we had a lot of success in ELMS in the past, but we finished fourth three times in a row. That’s basically three times of coming up short. Now things seem to be falling into place a bit more easily,” he continues. The sister car, the #18 IDEC LMP2, finished third in the championship last season with Dani Juncadella, Mathys Jaubert and Jamie Chadwick.

The success formula has been there all along, Van Uitert knows. “Last year was the first time IDEC ran two cars as a team. You notice that the structure and the atmosphere in the team needed to adapt to it. There’s a lot more involved in managing two cars and making sure everyone stays positive, even if one of the cars isn’t performing well,” he says.

“The team can still perform very well or have a strong weekend, but the dynamic is always different when you have two sides of a garage, rather than everyone being focused on one car. Now, everything is falling into place more easily since the start of the season.”

‘Back then I thought: I’d love to do that one day’

It will provide a good base going into Le Mans – where Van Uitert usually flourishes even more. The 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans will mark his eighth participation, reflecting the expertise he has built up on Circuit de La Sarthe throughout the years. No matter how many times he’s done the race, it remains special.

“Absolutely. It’s still a childhood dream. Every time you’re there, you think back to being seven years old, sitting in front of the TV and watching the Audi’s and the Peugeots. Back then I thought: I’d love to do that one day. The fact that I’m participating now, still feels unreal. It’s a wonderful dream to be living.”

“You simply never know what’s going to happen at Le Mans,” Van Uitert points out. “There have been years when I thought we’d win, and then we came home empty-handed. And there have been years when I thought we wouldn’t have a chance and ended up on the podium. That’s why you always look forward to it. It’s a long event, so I don’t set too many expectations.”

It’s about getting through the sessions first: “I also have a new teammate, Valerio Rinicella (19). He’s making his Le Mans debut, so we’ll have two FIA Silver drivers in the car. He’s a very fast Silver, so I fully expect him to have the pace, but he hasn’t done a 24-hour race before.”

“You really have to take on a coaching role, help him get up to speed and make sure he has all the tips and tricks needed to win that race. Because we do it together. We need each other in this.”

Dynamics shifting slightly in LMP2 class

Especially now the LMP2 field has changed a little bit. Due to Porsche withdrawing the Hypercar from WEC, some of its Works Drivers joined LMP2 line-ups to still compete at Le Mans. Kévin Estre will therefore race for TDS Racing, while Julien Andlauer is part of the Duqueine line-up.

For Van Uitert, it’s a good challenge – one he welcomes for sure: “Of course. I prefer racing against the best drivers possible. If you see your name above theirs at the end of the day, that’s great!” he laughs. “Estre and Andlauer are obviously top-level drivers, but the LMP2 car is also a somewhat unique car. Unique in a way that I know it very well, and they don’t. I’m sure they will be quick anyway.”

During his WEC season in 2021 – in which he, Frits van Eerd and Giedo van der Garde became LMP2 Pro/Am champions – the 27-year-old already raced against big names, like Jean-Éric Vergne and Nyck de Vries. “Those are serious names as well, so whether it’s Andlauer or Estre, it doesn’t really matter to me once we’re on track.”

Estre and Andlauer combine their IMSA Hypercar programme with several GT3 races on the global calendar, like the Nürburgring 24 Hours and some NLS races. Van Uitert has also gained GT3 experience with a full season of GT World Challenge Europe in 2024, and would like to return to the championship when the opportunity arises.

“Last year I did some races in GT World Challenge too [with Tresor Attempto Racing], but it’s difficult to really break through there. The opportunities are quite limited, as GT3 is very crowded at the moment. Many drivers come from Formula racing. They’re fast and they bring budget.”

Nordschleife lures all endurance specialists

Van Uitert has left his mark on the GT racing world nevertheless, as he scored a podium during his GT3 debut race with Aston Martin Comtoyou Racing. “If a good opportunity comes along, I’ll take it. For now I have to work with what I have. I don’t have anything lined up at the moment, but I certainly wouldn’t mind!”

The Dutchman expresses interest in racing on the Nordschleife, as he already got his DPN Permit a couple of years ago. “It’s such a unique circuit where you have true specialists. Once you’re involved there, you can build a great career around it. Not only for the N24 itself, but also in the NLS series. It’s a fantastic championship and it’s high on my list.”

Multi-class racing on the Nordschleife would definitely show Van Uiterts strong traits: “In GT World Challenge, you sometimes miss that traffic element. That’s something I’ve dealt with extensively throughout my LMP2 career. One of my strengths is managing slower traffic and positioning yourself in a way that minimizes time loss.”

“My one-lap pace is definitely not bad – but my real strength lies in traffic management. That’s something you can use on a circuit like the Nordschleife.”

Long-term Hypercar ambitions

The attraction of the Nordschleife is undeniable, but for now Van Uitert is focused on progressing to the Hypercar. He’s patient and well aware that it takes time. He uses the time to show the manufacturers that he ticks all of the boxes, hinting at the involvement of Genesis Magma Racing with IDEC Sport.

“It remains my goal – to one day win Le Mans in a Hypercar. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. I’m still very happy with what I’ve already achieved, but I want more. This [LMP2] certainly isn’t the last thing I’m going to do in my career,” he says.

“I’m happy where I am now, where I can compete professionally, and I put things into perspective. I also understand the choices they [Genesis] made, by going for Paul-Loup [Chatin]. They want someone with Hypercar experience. He already has that from Alpine, and he knows the Oreca platform on which the Genesis is based.”

“That doesn’t mean they’ll never move on from the drivers they have. Things keep evolving, because you never know. The most important thing is to build a good relationship with them. Maybe one day it will go my way. If it doesn’t, I’m at least able to say I did everything I could.”