April 5, Barcelona – The R-ace GP squad, which entered three Duqueine D09s, got off to a rocky start this weekend at the first Michelin Le Mans Cup meeting of the season. Despite good progress and encouraging qualifying, a podium finish slipped through the team’s fingers. The #86 and #85 finished 5th and 8th overall, while the #88 finished 6th in the PRO/AM category.

Free practice and qualifying

On Friday April 4, the #85, #86 and #88 showed a clear progression after the results from official testing earlier in the week. The #85 and #86 finished in the top 6 overall, and the #88 in the top 3 of the PRO/AM category.

This progress was confirmed in qualifying the following day, with Hadrien David (#85) securing 3rd place and Joel Granfors (#86) 5th. On the PRO/AM side, Romano Ricci (#88) achieved the best qualifying result of his career with 6th place. The three LMP3s were therefore serious contenders for the podium, both overall and in the PRO/AM category.

The race

At the start, Hugo Schwarze in the #85 took the lead. But his manoeuvre resulted in a contact with a competitor which led to a drive-through penalty, relegating him to the top 15. In the #86, Joel Granfors maintained his position in the top 5. Romano Ricci in the #88 climbed up to third place in the PRO/AM category.

After more than an hour of racing and the mandatory pit stop, the race was interrupted by a red flag. On the restart, Fabien Lavergne (#88) was 4th in the PRO/AM category. In the overall standings, Edgar Pierre (#86) continued to defend his 4th place, while Hadrien David (#85) was 8th.

The #86 finally crossed the finish line in 5th place, ahead of the #85, still 8th. In the PRO/AM category, the #88 finished 5th but a penalty dropped it back to 6th place.

A fightback expected at Paul Ricard

More work needs to be done before the new Duqueine D09 reaches its full potential. That’s the conclusion of the R-ace GP team after this first weekend. ‘We’re now focused on the upcoming tests at Paul Ricard, where we’ll have to assess and develop our performance as a team,’ commented R-ace GP boss Thibaut de Mérindol.

The second round of the season will take place at Le Castellet on May 3.

To watch the race, click here.

25 March 2025 – Only a few days to go until the Michelin Le Mans Cup kicks off! For its second season in endurance racing, R-ace GP is setting its sights high with three Duqueine D09 LMP3 cars. Runner-up in its rookie season in 2024, the French team is more determined than ever to win the title in 2025. And to do so, it will be supported by some talented drivers.

Duqueine D09 #85 crew

Hadrien David (silver): French F4 Champion in 2019, FRECA Runner-Up in 2021, Michelin Le Mans Cup Runner-Up in 2024 (LMP3).

Hugo Schwarze (silver): RMC Wintercup Champion in 2022, Ginetta Junior Runner-Up in 2023.

Duqueine D09 #86 crew

Joel Granfors (silver): Aquila Synergy Cup and Formula Nordic Champion in 2020, BG3 Vice-Champion in 2022.

Edgar Pierre (silver) 

Duqueine D09 #88 crew 

Romano Ricci (bronze) 

Fabien Lavergne (silver): ELMS Champion (LMGTE) and Michelin Le Mans Cup Runner-Up (GT3) in 2019, FFSA GT4 Runner-Up in 2020, Asian Le Mans Series Runner-Up (LMP3 category) in 2023.

To follow our results throughout the season, visit our Facebook and Instagram pages!

The 2025 Michelin Le Mans Cup calendar

Round 1: 5 April in Barcelona (Spain)

Round 2: May 3 at Le Castellet (France)

Round 3: Le Mans (France) on June 12 with two races

Round 4: Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), 23 August

Round 5: September 13 at Silverstone (Great Britain)

Round 6: Portimao (Portugal) on October 18

For more information on the Michelin Le Mans Cup, click here.