Inter Europol Competition driver Fabio Scherer spoke to Motorsport Week in-depth about the Centenary Le Mans 24 Hours, nursing an injured foot en route to the LMP2 win, and more.

A tale of perseverance and resilience propelled Scherer and Inter Europol Competition to become Centenary Le Mans winners and title-contenders for the final World Endurance Championship LMP2 title.

Scherer joined the Inter Europol Competition team in 2022 across a select number of WEC races, the full European Le Mans Series campaigns, and Le Mans inbetween.

His FIA silver licence was uprated to gold by the end of 2021, which meant that he could not continue with the WEC United Autosports team he was part of during his debut sportscar season.

This year has been the most successful for the Polish bakery privateer, most notably winning in a highly competitive LMP2 category at the Centenary Le Mans 24 Hours.

With an injured foot, Scherer won the race with Jakub ‘Kuba’ Smiechowski and Albert Costa in the team’s WEC #34 Oreca 07 LMP2 car.

“Working with Albert and Kuba has been great,” said Scherer.

“Albert is a quick driver, and Kuba has been a great silver because he doesn’t make any mistakes.” 

“I have seen a massive improvement from the whole team since last year.”

Scherer has competed in both European Le Mans Series and WEC campaigns for IE Competition, most notably at the 2022 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps when the team charged from last on the grid to second place.

Earlier this year at the 6 Hours of Spa, Inter Europol finished on their first WEC podium after a rain-soaked race, and without tyre warmers.

One of the highlights, for both Scherer and the Inter Europol team, has been the Centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans, which marked 100 years since the inception of the famed endurance race at La Sarthe.

Costa qualified the car in 13th position in LMP2, after his best attempts were unable to get the team through to the Hyperpole session.

Scherer, meanwhile, took the race start again this year in one of two Inter Europol Oreca 07s.

However, early in the race a very localised rain shower affected the first sector, as a mixture of the 62 cars opted for slicks or wet compound tyres.

“Driving at Le Mans start on slicks, we decided to be cautious,” he said, with the car amidst a fiesty LMP2 field.

“The race is not won on the opening lap or the opening hours.”

Unlike at Spa-Francorchamps, the rain at the start decreased in intensity.

Ten minutes after the safety car was deployed for Jack Aitken’s opening-lap incident — which caused debris at the first chicane on the Mulsanne straight — the team changed to Kuba as a “tactical decision” to start fulfilling his drive time.

At such an early point, it was during this pit stop when Scherer’s left foot was run over by the Corvette. 

It was only after the race when the full details of the injury became apparent: ligament damage and an incomplete fracture, which had caused him to limp in and out of the car for the majority of the race.

Following intervention from the team’s physiotherapist, while still uncomfortable, Scherer was well aware of the speed in the package; his determination was stronger than ever to continue pushing, with the car in winning contention.

“The adrenaline helped mask the pain during the course of the race, plus my professional background in skiing helped me find ways of coping with the injury.

“I still braked with my left foot, but instead of turning the ankle, I pushed my left leg, having never braked with my right foot so I did not decide to do so.

By the sixth hour, the team’s #34 Oreca 07 climbed up into the lead of 22 LMP2 cars which were running.

“We were fighting for a potential Le Mans victory, and I did not think much about the injury — just our target to win.”

It was, however, not until the night phase arrived when the rain became more present, and caused several cars to go off the track as others steadily nursed their slicks back around to the pit box for wets.

“Surviving and keeping the lead during the heavy rain conditions in the night truly earned us the win.

“The long safety car period meant we couldn’t keep tyres up to temperature, but we just wanted to make it through the most critical phase.”

Kuba and Costa primarily interchanged driving duties during the early hours of the morning, until Scherer got back in the car at approximately 6.30 am local time.

A quadruple stint by Costa preceded Scherer’s final stint to lead Inter Europol towards their maiden victory, albeit with Swiss compatriot Louis Deletraz catching behind for Team WRT.

“I was not able to fulfil my best potential nursing the injury, but I was able to do enough to keep [Louis] Deletraz from catching me in the final stint.”

By the chequered flag, Scherer finished 21 seconds ahead of second-placed Deletraz of the #41 WRT.

The #34’s quickest race lap time was a 3:37.180 by the Swiss driver set on Lap 158, enough for the fifth-fastest race lap in the LMP2 category by the end.

“Taking the chequered flag was an unbelievable high, a memory I’ll never forget.

“After showing potential for the win last year and encountering an alternator failure, it felt like we completed something we started a long time ago.

“Our reliability was fine throughout the race, apart from a brief trip through a gravel trap.

“Compared to the start, the car felt dramatically different after various weather conditions, components like the clutch and brakes were worn in, and the track was rubbered in.”

The team won from 13th on the grid, a feat never achieved in the LMP2 category before, and Scherer described the podium view over a record-high attendance of fans.

“Wherever you looked, there were people.

“The atmosphere was incredible at the Centenary Le Mans.

“It was amazing to stand on the top step of the podium, and share the celebrations with the team — it was a crazy, emotional positive from a small team from Poland against big names like JOTA, WRT and United Autosports.”

“After the race, we saw and stopped by some fans on a roundabout and decided to share the champagne with them and show them the trophy.

“Hearing (car) horns as others joined in celebrations, it was amazing to see how much the win meant to everyone else as well as our own team.”

The injury took three weeks to recover through bespoke training, although the time passed quicker than expected, according to Scherer.

After securing the full 50 points from Le Mans, the #34 crew scored fourth place and 10 points at Monza just four weeks after Le Mans.

Their title rivals, the #41 WRT crew, won the 6 Hours of Fuji in LMP2 whilst the #34 IE Competition team managed ninth place and two points.

WRT’s #41 crew of Rui Andrade, Louis Deletraz and Robert Kubica lead the LMP2 standings on 135 points, as the #34 crew sit on 102.

Most crucially, Inter Europol must win in Bahrain to narrow down the gap, if not also to defend their P2 spot from the #22 United Autosports team situated one point behind.

After a difficult 6 Hours of Fuji, Scherer consolidated on the team’s expectations into the 8 Hours of Bahrain finale on 4 November.

“We want to finish the season on a high in Bahrain, and Fuji was our low and consistency was lacking a bit.

“Bahrain will be full-risk with no opportunity to waste if we want to become LMP2 champions from P2 in the standings.

“We should be very proud of our performance this year regardless of the result.”

Scherer shared the disappointment for LMP2’s WEC departure in regards to IE Competition’s recent progression, but points out the expectations of a growing Hypercar class.

As winners this year, Inter Europol are automatically invited to next year’s Le Mans 24 Hours which will still feature LMP2 competition, even if not in the full-season WEC package.

Above all, Scherer’s ardour to win the Centenary Le Mans was so intense, that even a foot injury did not overshadow his perseverance having spent much of the year preparing for one of the most decorated editions of Le Mans since 1923.

The reigning LMP2 winners at the Le Mans 24 Hours has announced a debut IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar campaign next year in partnership with four-time IMSA LMP2 champions PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports.

Under the name ‘Inter Europol by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports’, the full-season partnership will see the Centenary Le Mans winning-Polish bakery privateer debut in the North American-based sportscar championship.

Earlier this week, 48 official entries were unveiled for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech season featuring 12 LMP2 cars, one of which will be the sole Ligier run by Sean Creech.

PR1 Mathiasen has competed in the IMSA-sanctioned championship since 2014, and prior since 2010 in the ACO-sanctioned American Le Mans Series.

They currently situate themselves as 2023 LMP2 champion title-contenders ahead of the final round at Road Atlanta later today, aiming to secure their fifth Team Championship title and a sixth in the Endurance Cup.

Jakub (Kuba) Śmiechowski has been confirmed as the silver-rated driver for the endurance rounds, whilst the team are currently assessing their options for a professional-bronze full-season pairing.

Sascha Fassbender, Inter Europol Competition, Team Manager, said: “PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports has proven over many years that it’s a very strong team in IMSA.

“They have won the championship, and for us, it was a logical step to work with them in an IMSA partnership.

“I am really looking forward to this journey. Our partnership with PR1 allows us to hit the ground running, and we will be competitive from the very first day.

“So, we’re delighted to confirm that we have signed with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports owner Bobby Oergel for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.

“Kuba will compete in the five endurance races as the Silver-graded driver. We are now talking with Pro and Bronze drivers with a view of fighting for the championship from the very start.”

Ray Mathiasen and Bobby Oergel, Team Principals for PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports, added their thoughts:

“We are delighted to welcome Inter Europol to our IMSA WeatherTech Championship LMP2 program.

“The success they have achieved, and continue to experience, is promising for our shared future.

“The collaboration between our teams opens up exciting possibilities, leveraging the strengths of both sides to achieve even greater success together.”

The 2024 season will commence at the Daytona International Speedway (Road Course) with the Roar Before the 24, followed by the 24 Hours of Daytona on 27-28 January.

Former Formula One driver Esteban Gutierrez will make his debut in endurance racing this season, joining Inter Europol Competition in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The Mexican driver, who contested 59 Grands Prix with Sauber and Haas between 2013 and 2016, will partner Kuba Smiechowski and Alex Brundle aboard the team’s #34 ORECA 07-Gibson.

Gutierrez effectively replaces Renger van der Zande in the team’s line-up, with the Dutchman unable to contest a second season due to clashing IMSA commitments.

“I am pleased to join the Inter Europol Competition team for the FIA WEC 2022 season,” Gutierrez said. “A thank you to the team for the opportunity to have me race together with Kuba Smiechowski and Alex Brundle.

“With the team’s progress and our combined ambition, I am confident we will make an excellent team. Endurance racing is a new challenge for me.”

“I will focus on learning as much as possible and as soon as possible. It is an honour for me to return to racing in this competitive and prestigious series.”

Gutierrez has not raced anything other than single-seater machinery in his career. Following his departure from the Haas F1 Team at the end of 2016, the 30-year-old took part in seven IndyCar races as a stand-in for the injured Sebastien Bourdais.

He also raced in Formula E briefly and was a reserve driver with the Mercedes Formula One team until 2020, when it became apparent that he was no longer eligible for a Super License.

“We are happy to welcome Esteban to the team,” said team manager Sascha Fassbender. “I am confident that this will be a strong year for the team.”

“A thank you to Renger van de Zande who, with Alex and Kuba, worked hard last year to bring us to this level.”

“With Esteban in the team, we have a strong line-up to achieve our ambitions. I look forward to working together to accomplish great things this season.”

Alex Brundle will remain with Inter Europol Competition for both the 2022 and 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship season as the British racer has signed a multi-year contract extention with the team.

Brundle joined the team for the 2021 season, partnering up with Kuba Smiechowski and Renger van der Zande. Smiechowski has also been retained by the team, with the third driver for next year yet to be confirmed.

“I am delighted to be retained on a multi-year contract, with Inter Europol Competition, to apply my best efforts to the teams’ WEC program ongoing,” said Brundle.

“The team has demonstrated incredible progress in their performance and I’m excited to help them continue their upward trajectory towards their ambitious goals into the future.”

Smiechowski, who has been with the team for almost his entire career, is happy to continue alongside Brundle.

“I am looking forward to continuing to share the car with Alex,” he said. “I have learned a lot from him this past year, and we also share a good sense of humor.”

Brundle has been active in sportscar racing and has primarily raced LMP2 machinery for the likes of G-Drive Racing, OAK Racing, Jackie Chan DC Racing and United Autosports.

In 2016, he won the European Le Mans Series LMP3 title with the Anglo-American outfit and a year later he finished second overall at Le Mans, only behind the winning LMP1 Porsche.

“I am very pleased that we could sign a contract with Alex for the next two years and intensify our working together,” said team boss Sascha Fassbender. “He is a strong driver who has proven his performance in every race and, we are happy to be able to start the next two years in the WEC with Alex and Kuba.”

Louis Deletraz will be racing with Inter Europol Competition at the Portimao and Fuji rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship, filling in for Renger van der Zande.

Both the 8 Hours of Portimao and 6 Hours of Fuji clash with events on the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, where Van der Zande has commitments with Chip Ganassi Racing’s DPi squad.

The Portimao round falls on the same weekend as the Detroit Grand Prix, while the Fuji event clashes with the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

To fill up the vacancy left by the Dutchman, the Polish squad has opted to bring in Deletraz to partner Alex Brundle and Kuba Smiechowski.

“I am very happy to join IEC at Portimao and Fuji as Renger is busy with his IMSA commitments,” Deletraz said. “I can already see the team is very motivated and pushing for good results. I’m looking forward to working with Alex and Kuba.”

The Swiss driver will be making his first start in the FIA World Endurance Championship outside of his one-off appearance at last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans with Rebellion Racing.

He currently also drives for Team WRT in the European Le Mans Series, most recently winning the 4 Hours of Barcelona alongside Yifei Ye and Robert Kubica.

Inter Europol Competition has announced the driver line-up for its debut season in the FIA World Endurance Championship, signing Alex Brundle and Renger van der Zande to partner Kuba Smiechowski.

The Polish team is stepping up from the European Le Mans Series to the WEC for the first time, entering a single ORECA 07-Gibson. Team regular Smiechowski will team up with Brundle and Van der Zande, two drivers with considerable sportscar experience.

At the opening round in Sebring, Van der Zande will be replaced by 2020 IMSA DPi champion Helio Castroneves. Castroneves steps in for the Dutchman as he is racing with Chip Ganassi Racing in IMSA’s Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Brundle, son of ex-F1 driver Martin Brundle, has been almost exclusively involved in racing LMP2 machinery since the WEC’s conception in 2012. Driving for OAK Racing, G-Drive Racing and later Jackie Chan DC Racing, he took three class wins in 2016 and notably finished third overall in the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2020, he raced for United Autosports, winning the opening rounds of the ELMS season and fighting for the class win at Le Mans until an oil leak ended his victory chances.

“I’m delighted to take on the challenge of the World Endurance Championship with Inter Europol Competition,” said Brundle. “It’s great to be back racing on the world stage and at some circuits I really enjoy.

“I’m certainly joining an impressive driver roster and I can’t wait to start pushing the car with Kuba, Renger and Helio.”

“The team have scored great results in LMP3 and I’m looking forward to working alongside the engineering and the mechanical crew to be part of the next stage of the team’s racing success and development.”

Van der Zande, meanwhile, returns to the WEC for the first time since the 2018/19 Super Season, which he contested with DragonSpeed. The Dutchman won the Rolex 24 at Daytona twice in a row with Wayne Taylor Racing.

“It’s a privilege to be adding this FIA WEC programme with Inter Europol Competition to my Chip Ganassi Racing with Cadillac programme in IMSA next
season,” said Van der Zande. “That’s my base programme for 2021 and of course, I am happy to be going back to Le Mans as well, such an iconic circuit and race.

“Unfortunately, I have a clash for the first round of the series at Sebring, so I cannot race there in WEC, but I will be watching and hope that
Inter Europol Competition has a great run, while I focus on the Ganassi IMSA 12-Hour race. As a result, my FIA WEC season really starts at the next round at Spa-Francorchamps.”

Van der Zande will be replaced at Sebring by Helio Castroneves. The Brazilian only raced ORECA’s 07 prototype once before, at Petit Le Mans in 2017, but has extensive experience with the French chassis builder as part of his continued involvement with the Acura DPi programme, which is based on an ORECA chassis.

“I’m super excited to be able to race at the WEC with Inter Europol Competition for the Sebring race, we’ve been talking last year and now we were able to do something really special and hoping this could lead for more opportunities with the team,” Castroneves said.

“After three years racing with DPI it certainly prepared me for this challenge and I just can’t wait for 2021 to start.”

Inter Europol Competition has announced that they will be entering the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship season in the LMP2 class.

The team, which recently finished third in class at Motul Petit Le Mans, has purchased an ORECA 07-Gibson in order to make the step up to the WEC< which will arrive in December.

Inter Europol Competition has long been involved in the European Le Mans Series and has made multiple starts in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the most recent of which came earlier this year.

“We are taking another very exciting next step,” said team manager Sascha Fassbender. “Because we knew we wanted to do the WEC, we bought an Oreca LMP2 07. The car will be delivered in December.

“To prepare for this we did Petit Le Mans in an Oreca and we are going to do Sebring in November, in the same car.

“We know it is going to be a lot of hard work, but the team is very motivated. We will push on and look forward to getting to know the car.”

“I had to get used to the Oreca very quickly at Petit Le Mans and found I really enjoyed racing the car,” said team regular Kuba Smiechowski. “Obviously, I knew we ordered a new car some time ago and that motivated me enormously.

“Our next race is Sebring where I will share the car with Matt Bell and Naveen Rao. It will be a busy and hard year for us next year, with hopefully not as many obstacles as we have faced this year.”

The team will continue its involvement in the European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series.