The Duqueine Engineering team was disqualified from the 4 Hours of Red Bull Ring following a technical infringement. The post-race decision saw the removal of the team’s second place podium result, scored by Pierre Ragues, Nicolas Jamin and Nelson Panciatici in the #29 Oreca 07.

 

Following the disqualification of our Oreca 07 for non-compliant fuel, Team Manager Yann Belhomme wishes to provide the precise explanation of this decision.

 

"Team DUQUEINE collaborates with the Cool Racing team to refuel their LMP3 NORMA M30 N. 9. The last race of this car was at Road To Le Mans where the fuel used was ELF index 102. The one used on all the ELMS rounds are the Total index 102.

 

Last Wednesday was a Private Testing day at the Red Bull Ring to prepare for the event. During this day, the use of fuel is unrestricted. Those working on the NORMA M30 N. 9 therefore used the leftover fuel brought from Le Mans. 

 

At the end of each run, the tanks are emptied in order to precisely refine the fuel consumption of the car per lap, in order to perfect the strategy of the race to come. 

 

Some ELF petrol is certain to have remained in the bottom of the tank and was therefore detected. Between the rounds of Le Mans Cup and ELMS we have a common fuel and it is for this reason that it also found in our LMP2 Oreca 07 (less than 0.5%).

 

Beyond the immense disappointment of this disqualification, I wish on behalf of the team to apologise to our magnificent trio of drivers who did an outstanding job throughout the weekend, to our partner Michelin, as well as to all our sponsors and supporters.

 

I am of course disappointed but totally accept this decision. This ELMS series in the LMP2 category is of an incredible level and professionalism, and that is what drives us to be at the highest level!

 

Finally I want to support all my fabulous team who are greatly affected by this error. The work done at the Red Bull Ring by Max Favard and all my guys was at the level of the best teams in the world. We fought in qualifying and racing for first place! See you on the first step of the podium at Silverstone at the end of August."

 

"I am obviously disappointed and frustrated after this disqualification but this kind of mistake can happen and you have to know how to accept the consequences. We are deprived of very important points, but our performance yesterday remains, and it is necessary to look towards Silverstone, which we will approach with the same determination. Duqueine Engineering has demonstrated to be at the necessary level and we will come back stronger together. "