Inter Europol Competition
Inter Europol Competition is a Polish professional auto racing team specializing in endurance racing, founded in 2010 by Wojciech Śmiechowski and sponsored by the bakery manufacturer Inter Europol.[1] The team fields prototype cars in categories such as LMP2 and LMP3, competing in international series including the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), European Le Mans Series (ELMS), Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS), and IMSA SportsCar Championship.[1] It gained prominence as the first Polish team to complete the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2019 and achieved historic victories in the LMP2 class at that event in 2023 and 2025, marking the first wins for a Polish squad in the race's storied history.[1][2] The team's origins trace back to Śmiechowski's automotive involvement in the 1980s, evolving into a formal racing operation when his son, Jakub Śmiechowski, began competing in Formula Renault 2.0 in 2010.[1] Inter Europol Competition entered endurance racing in 2016, debuting in the ELMS and V de V Sports series, where it secured the V de V Endurance Challenge championship in the 2016-2017 season and finished third in ELMS LMP3 in 2018.[1] By 2018-2019, the team claimed the ALMS LMP3 title, prompting a shift to the more competitive LMP2 class in 2019, which included its Le Mans debut and expansion into the IMSA series with races at Petit Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring.[1] The organization relocated its workshop to the vicinity of Warsaw in 2020 to support growing operations and entered the full FIA WEC season in 2021, achieving a fifth-place finish in LMP2 that year and at Le Mans.[1] Key milestones include the 2023 Le Mans LMP2 victory with the #34 Oreca 07-Gibson driven by Jakub Śmiechowski, Fabio Scherer, and Albert Costa, which also contributed to a vice-championship in the FIA WEC LMP2 standings.[3][1] In 2025, the #43 entry secured another LMP2 win at Le Mans with drivers Nick Yelloly, Jakub Śmiechowski, and Tom Dillmann, despite a late penalty, finishing 1 minute and 55 seconds ahead of the runner-up.[2] The team has since expanded its fleet to include up to seven cars across multiple series, such as the Michelin Le Mans Cup and Ligier European Series, while maintaining a focus on developing Polish talent and raising the national profile in global motorsport.[4] Known as the "#TurboBakers" for its bakery sponsorship, Inter Europol Competition operates from Poland and emphasizes precision engineering, international partnerships, and inspiring the next generation of racers.[1][5]History
2010–2015: Formation and single-seater racing
Inter Europol Competition was founded in 2010 by Wojciech Śmiechowski in Poland, establishing the outfit as a dedicated single-seater racing team with roots in Śmiechowski's longstanding involvement in motorsport dating back to the 1980s.[1] The team emerged from initial collaborations in lower formulas, quickly focusing on competitive single-seater categories to build experience and infrastructure. Based in the Warsaw metropolitan area, the operation drew early financial support from Śmiechowski's family-owned bakery business, Inter Europol SA, a leading Polish producer of baked goods that became the team's primary sponsor and inspired its nickname, the "Turbo Bakers."[6][7] The team's inaugural competitive efforts centered on the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup (NEC), where it fielded entries starting in 2010 to nurture emerging talent.[8] Jakub Śmiechowski, son of the founder and a key early driver, competed for the team in this series, contributing to its growth through consistent participation across multiple seasons. By 2013, Śmiechowski delivered strong results, securing third place overall in the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC and another third in the FIA Central European Zone (CEZ) championship, highlighting the team's developing prowess in regional single-seater racing. In 2013, Inter Europol Competition expanded into the BOSS GP series, debuting at the season finale in Monza with a GP2-spec car to test higher-level open-wheel machinery. This move built on the team's Formula Renault foundation, providing exposure to more powerful and technically demanding vehicles. The expansion paid dividends in 2014, as Jakub Śmiechowski claimed the Formula class championship in BOSS GP, driving a Dallara GP2/05 powered by a Mecachrome engine and achieving multiple victories en route to the title.[9] These successes solidified the team's reputation in European single-seater circuits before its shift toward endurance racing in 2016.2016–2018: Entry into endurance and LMP3 success
Following its success in single-seater racing, Inter Europol Competition expanded into endurance racing in 2016 by entering the LMP3 class of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the V de V Endurance Series, fielding a Ligier JS P3 chassis powered by a Nissan VK50 engine.[10][11] The team, backed by Polish bakery manufacturer Inter Europol SA—earning it the nickname "Turbo Bakers" in reference to the sponsor's focus on swift production and delivery—debuted with drivers Jakub Śmiechowski and Martin Hippe in the #13 entry, finishing 12th overall in the ELMS LMP3 standings while securing the V de V LMP3 title.[1][12] In 2017, the team achieved its first ELMS podium with a second-place finish at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet, driven by Śmiechowski and Hippe, contributing to a fifth-place overall championship result in LMP3.[13] The "Turbo Bakers" also defended their V de V Endurance Series LMP3 crown that year, with Śmiechowski and Hendrik Still piloting the #22 Ligier JS P3 to multiple victories and consistent top finishes, including a double podium at Paul Ricard.[1][14] The 2018 season marked a breakthrough in ELMS, where Inter Europol fielded two Ligier JS P3s: the #13 shared by Hippe, Śmiechowski, and occasional co-drivers like Nigel Moore, and the #14 with a rotating lineup including Moore and Dino Lunardi. The team clinched runner-up honors in the LMP3 drivers' and teams' championships, highlighted by their maiden ELMS class victory in the #13 car at the 4 Hours of Portimão, where Hippe and Śmiechowski led the final stages to win by 15 seconds over rivals.[15][16] This result, combined with additional podiums at Red Bull Ring and Spa-Francorchamps, solidified the team's growing reputation in prototype endurance racing.[1]2019–2020: LMP2 transition and Le Mans debut
In 2019, Inter Europol Competition transitioned to the LMP2 category in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), acquiring a Ligier JS P217 Gibson prototype to complement its ongoing LMP3 program, marking a strategic upgrade from its prior successes in the LMP3 class where it had secured runner-up honors in 2018.[17] The team fielded the #34 entry driven primarily by team principal Jakub Śmiechowski alongside international hires such as British drivers Nigel Moore and James Winslow, focusing on building experience in the more competitive prototype division.[18] This shift allowed the Polish squad to contest higher-stakes endurance events while maintaining a multi-class presence. The LMP2 program's highlight that year was its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the #34 Ligier qualified 26th overall with a lap time of 3:30.744 set by Moore and completed 325 laps to finish 16th in the LMP2 class and 45th overall, demonstrating reliability despite the learning curve in the 21-car LMP2 field.[19] [18] Concurrently, Inter Europol expanded internationally by entering the 2019–20 Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS) with a Ligier JS P217 in LMP2 (#34) and additional Ligier JS P3 entries in LMP3, achieving competitive finishes including a near-podium run at Sepang where the LMP2 car held second before dropping to fourth due to a late pit issue.[20] [21] The 2020 season brought significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to postponements and cancellations in the ELMS calendar, reducing it to four rounds starting in July and forcing adaptations like enhanced safety protocols and condensed schedules across global series.[22] Inter Europol's first full LMP2 campaign in ELMS with the #34 Ligier JS P217, now driven by Śmiechowski, Austrian René Binder, and Russian Matevos Isaakyan, yielded solid results including a fifth-place finish at Le Castellet, culminating in 11th in the teams' standings and 15.5 points for its drivers.[23] The team also returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in September, finishing 17th in LMP2 and 45th overall amid the delayed, spectator-free event.[24] In ALMS, the dual #33 and #34 LMP2 entries ended fourth and fifth in the standings, respectively, underscoring the program's growing maturity despite the disruptions.[25]2021–2023: WEC entry and first Le Mans victory
Inter Europol Competition made its full-season debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2021, entering the LMP2 class as a privateer team with a single Oreca 07 Gibson chassis numbered #34. The driver lineup featured Polish racer Jakub Śmiechowski alongside Renger van der Zande and Alex Brundle, marking the first Polish-flagged entry in the series. The team quickly adapted to the global stage, securing consistent results in the midfield, including a fifth-place finish at their opener, the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, and another fifth at Portimão. Further highlights included a fourth at Monza and a third at Fuji, contributing to an overall fifth-place finish in the LMP2 teams' standings with 84 points across the six-round season.[26][27] In 2022, the team retained its WEC presence with the #34 Oreca, now driven by Śmiechowski, Brundle, and Esteban Gutiérrez, maintaining steady point-scoring performances amid a competitive field that saw the introduction of the Hypercar class. Concurrently, Inter Europol mounted a strong challenge for the LMP2 title in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), fielding Oreca 07s in #14 and #43 configurations with rotating lineups including Fabio Scherer and David Heinemeier Hansson; the squad amassed 79 points to finish competitively in the teams' classification. These efforts underscored the team's growing operational maturity across major endurance platforms.[28][29] The 2023 season represented a breakthrough for Inter Europol in the WEC, highlighted by a historic victory in the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The #34 Oreca, driven by Śmiechowski, Albert Costa, and Fabio Scherer, completed 328 laps to win by 21.015 seconds over Team WRT's #41 entry, securing the team's maiden WEC triumph and Poland's first Le Mans class victory.[30][31] This success propelled Inter Europol to second place in the final LMP2 teams' standings with 114 points, earning them the privateer honors as the top non-factory-supported squad. In parallel, the team concluded the ELMS campaign with solid results, including podium contention, reinforcing their status as a leading LMP2 contender in European endurance racing.2024–present: IMSA championship and second Le Mans win
In 2024, Inter Europol Competition expanded its international presence by partnering with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports to contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the LMP2 class with the No. 43 ORECA 07-Gibson, driven primarily by Tom Dillmann and Nick Boulle. The team demonstrated remarkable consistency across the 11-round season, achieving multiple podium finishes and securing their first victory at the Mosport round on July 14, where Dillmann held off challengers by 0.658 seconds after 117 laps.[32][33] This result, combined with strong performances at venues like Watkins Glen and Indianapolis, propelled them to the LMP2 drivers' and teams' championships, clinching the titles with a fourth-place finish at the season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans on October 12 by a 61-point margin over Riley. That same year, Inter Europol achieved a runner-up finish in the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the No. 43 car completing 297 laps but falling short of victory by 18.651 seconds to the winning No. 22 United Autosports entry. In the European Le Mans Series, the team fielded two LMP2 entries (Nos. 43 and 7) alongside an LMP3 car, earning the vice-championship in LMP2 through consistent top-five results across six rounds, highlighted by a win at the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Building on their 2023 Le Mans triumph, these results solidified Inter Europol's status as a leading LMP2 outfit in multiple series. The 2025 season marked further dominance, beginning with a victory in the LMP2 class at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 15, where Dillmann led the No. 43 car to a narrow 1.117-second win over Sébastien Bourdais after 347 laps. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15, Inter Europol claimed their second LMP2 class victory in three years, with the No. 43 ORECA driven by Tom Dillmann, Jakub Śmiechowski, and Nick Yelloly overcoming a late drive-through penalty for pit lane speeding to finish 1 minute and 55 seconds ahead of the runner-up No. 48, completing 367 laps amid intense competition. This repeat success, the first for a Polish team at Le Mans, underscored the squad's strategic prowess and driver synergy. As of November 2025, Inter Europol remains competitive in the ongoing FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series campaigns, contending for LMP2 podium finishes in the WEC with the No. 43 entry's Le Mans win contributing significantly to their points tally, while securing second place overall in the ELMS LMP2 teams' standings through consistent top-three results at rounds like Imola and Portimão.[34][2][35]Organisation
Ownership and management
Inter Europol Competition is owned by Inter Europol SA, a Polish bakery company established as a family business in 1989 by the Śmiechowski family and headquartered in Marki near Warsaw.[7] The racing team itself was founded in 2010 by Wojciech Śmiechowski, president of Inter Europol SA, who initially served as the team's owner and provided financial backing through the bakery's resources.[1] Wojciech Śmiechowski's son, Jakub Śmiechowski, assumed the role of team principal, combining operational leadership with his duties as a professional driver.[24] Under this family-led structure, the team relocated its base to the vicinity of Warsaw, Poland, by 2020 to centralize operations and engineering efforts.[1] Key management decisions have included the team's entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2021, marking its expansion into top-tier global endurance racing, and its independent full-season commitment to the IMSA SportsCar Championship starting in 2025, which facilitated achievements like the LMP2 class win at the 2025 12 Hours of Sebring.[1][35]Drivers and key personnel
Jakub Śmiechowski has been a pivotal figure in Inter Europol Competition since the team's inception in 2010, serving as both team principal and a core driver with extensive experience in endurance racing. As a Silver-rated Polish driver born in 1991, he has competed in numerous high-profile events, including multiple starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he has driven the team's LMP2 entries. His dual role has allowed him to shape the team's strategy while actively contributing on track, emphasizing reliability and consistency in long-distance formats.[36][37] The team has bolstered its driver roster with strategic hires of international talent to pair with Śmiechowski's leadership. In 2023, Inter Europol fielded Fabio Scherer and Albert Costa alongside Śmiechowski in the #34 Oreca 07-Gibson, forming a balanced lineup that capitalized on their combined expertise in prototype racing. For the 2025 edition, Tom Dillmann—a Gold-rated French driver with prior IMSA and WEC experience—and Nick Yelloly, a British driver known for his stints in GT and prototype categories, joined Śmiechowski to drive the #43 entry, enhancing the team's global competitiveness. These selections reflect hires focused on proven performers capable of handling the demands of endurance events.[38][2][39] Inter Europol's engineering staff plays a critical role in vehicle preparation, with technical directors overseeing LMP2 configurations for optimal performance in series like the European Le Mans Series and FIA World Endurance Championship. Driver selection criteria prioritize emerging Polish talent to nurture national motorsport development, while integrating international drivers for their specialized experience in high-stakes racing environments. This approach ensures a mix of local pride and global proficiency, as seen in past integrations of young Polish prospects like Mateusz Kaprzyk. Śmiechowski's management oversight as team principal guides these decisions, maintaining alignment between operational goals and on-track execution.[24][40][4]Equipment and partnerships
Chassis and vehicles
Inter Europol Competition entered prototype racing in the LMP3 class using the Ligier JS P3 chassis from 2016 to 2019, paired with a Nissan VK50VE V8 engine. This closed-cockpit prototype, developed by Onroak Automotive under the Ligier banner to meet LMP3 regulations, enabled the team to claim championships in the VdeV Endurance Series in 2016 and 2017, as well as runner-up finishes in the European Le Mans Series in 2018 and 2019.[41][42] From 2020 to 2024, the team utilized the Ligier JS P320 for its LMP3 program. As of 2025, Inter Europol fields the updated Ligier JS P325 chassis in LMP3, competing in series such as the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup.[43] The team's transition to the LMP2 category in 2019 initially featured the Ligier JS P217 chassis, but it adopted the Oreca 07 as its primary platform from 2021 onward across multiple series, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series. The Oreca 07, a spec LMP2 prototype emphasizing reliability and balanced performance, has powered notable Le Mans entries such as the #34 and #43 cars, which secured class victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 and 2025, respectively.[17][44][45][2] The team's vehicles across classes typically sport liveries reflecting sponsor Inter Europol SA's branding, prominently featuring red, white, and blue accents to highlight partnerships and national motifs.[46]Engines, suppliers, and technical collaborations
Inter Europol Competition has relied on the standardized Gibson GK428 V8 engine for its LMP2 Oreca 07 prototypes since transitioning to the category in 2019, featuring a 4.2-liter naturally aspirated design that delivers approximately 560 horsepower.[4] This power unit, the sole engine option in LMP2 regulations, provides consistent performance across endurance series, enabling the team's competitive results in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.[47] In its earlier LMP3 phase from 2016 to 2019, the team powered Ligier JS P3 chassis with the Nissan VK50VE V8, a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated engine producing around 450 horsepower, adhering to the category's spec requirements for balanced competition. From 2020 to 2024, LMP3 entries used the Nissan VK56DE 5.6-liter V8 (~460 hp). As of 2025, the team employs the Toyota V35A-FTS 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its LMP3 cars, producing approximately 500 horsepower.[48][43] Michelin has served as the exclusive tire supplier for Inter Europol Competition across all contested series since the team's endurance debut in 2016, including the European Le Mans Series, FIA World Endurance Championship, and IMSA SportsCar Championship.[49] The French manufacturer adapts compounds specifically for high-demand races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, optimizing grip and durability over the 24-hour distance on the Circuit de la Sarthe. The team maintains close technical collaborations with key suppliers to enhance development and performance. With Oreca, Inter Europol works on fine-tuning the Oreca 07 chassis setup for optimal handling in diverse conditions, leveraging the manufacturer's expertise in prototype engineering.[45] Additionally, a partnership with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports provides operational and technical support for IMSA entries, facilitating shared resources and preparation since 2024.[50]Competition results
24 Hours of Le Mans
Inter Europol Competition made its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2019, marking the team's entry into prototype racing with a focus on the LMP2 class. Since then, the Polish squad has competed consistently, achieving notable success including class victories in 2023 and 2025, while maintaining a 100% completion rate across seven starts. The team's performances have highlighted their growth from midfield contenders to podium regulars, often powered by Oreca 07 Gibson prototypes in recent years. The following table summarizes the team's complete results at the 24 Hours of Le Mans:| Year | Car # | Drivers | Chassis | Class Position (LMP2) | Overall Position | Laps Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 34 | Jakub Śmiechowski / Nigel Moore / John Winslow | Ligier JS P217 Gibson | 16th | 45th | 325 | Debut entry; finished the full distance despite challenges.[18] |
| 2020 | 34 | Matevos Isaakyan / Rene Binder / Jakub Śmiechowski | Ligier JS P217 Gibson | 17th | 41st | 325 | Steady run in a shortened season affected by COVID-19 protocols.[51] |
| 2021 | 34 | Jakub Śmiechowski / Renger van der Zande / Rob Brundle | Oreca 07 Gibson | 5th | 10th | 360 | Strong showing with a top-five class finish.[52] |
| 2022 | 34 | Jakub Śmiechowski / Rob Brundle / Esteban Gutiérrez | Oreca 07 Gibson | 13th | 17th | 365 | Dual-car effort; #34 led the team's results.[53] |
| 2022 | 43 | David Heinemeier Hansson / Fabio Scherer / Pietro Fittipaldi | Oreca 07 Gibson | 14th | 18th | 364 | Second entry; close to #34 in a competitive field.[53] |
| 2023 | 34 | Jakub Śmiechowski / Fabio Scherer / Albert Costa | Oreca 07 Gibson | 1st | 7th | 370 | First class victory, a historic win for the Polish team.[54] |
| 2024 | 34 | Vladislav Lomko / Clément Novalak / Jakub Śmiechowski | Oreca 07 Gibson | 2nd | 16th | 297 | Podium finish, narrowly missing repeat victory.[55] |
| 2025 | 43 | Tom Dillmann / Jakub Śmiechowski / Nick Yelloly | Oreca 07 Gibson | 1st | 8th | 362 | Second class win, secured amid late-race drama including a penalty recovery.[45] |