Paul-Loup Chatin is once again competing in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in which he won a title back in 2014. In the wake of a year spent mainly off the track to focus on his studies at Science Po in Paris, the 27-year-old driver has returned, this time at the wheel of the #28 ORECA 07-Gibson along with Paul Lafargue and 2017 ELMS champion Memo Rojas. 2018 turned out to be a good year for him. "The season is going well so far. I think it has been very good actually, the team is making progress race after race. Since the beginning of the year, we've remained among the top competitors, no matter the circuit or conditions. Our team is extremely effective, we know how to perform at a high level on the track and with a positive attitude, it's a perfect recipe. We've scored three pole positions since the season kicked off as well as two podium finishes. It's unfortunate that Paul (Lafargue, Ed.) has not been with us since Spa-Francorchamps. He was replaced by Gabriel Aubry who is doing great work, but it's always frustrating not to have one of your teammates with you! We are now among the favorite teams, and we'd like to bring home a win, hopefully at the Portimão finale this weekend. We have as many points as Racing Engineering (#24 ORECA 07-Gibson, Ed.) and being runner-up in the championship is now our goal."

One of the highlights of Paul-Loup Chatin's 2018 season was clinching pole position in the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was a significant achievement for the French driver. "Getting this pole position was a special moment for me. It's the most wonderful race in the world and I clocked an excellent time, faster than the LMP1s back in 2011 and 2012. I was thrilled to be able to do that for IDEC Sport who has put its confidence in me these last two years. I was raised not far from Le Mans so it's pretty much my home race. That pole position and spending a great deal of the race among the leaders showed people what we are capable of. It changed our status relative to our competitors." 

After spending much of the race among the top three LMP2s in June, the trio Paul Lafargue, Memo Rojas and Paul-Loup Chatin did not make it to the checkered flag. "We still look at the race in a positive light. The team made no mistakes during race week whatsoever and the same goes for the drivers! I'm lucky to have fantastic teammates. I can sleep at night without worry. That pole position was great, but we want to win. That's the one negative of our season, being forced to retire at Le Mans when the podium was within our grasp. We had engine problems that cost us a second per lap, but since we were performing so well, you couldn't tell. They brought on vibrations and, little by little, caused the gearbox to break. There's nothing we could have done, we didn't even know where the vibrations were coming from. We prayed it would hold, but three hours from the finish, it wasn't worth the risk and we returned to the garage. But again, despite that, Le Mans was a very positive experience!" 

Once the ELMS finale this Sunday at 12:30 local time in Portugal is behind him, he will start to focus on next season. "The goal in 2019 is to continue to build this team, to work together and keep the spirit we've had for two years. I feel fulfilled here, IDEC Sport gave me the opportunity to return to endurance, and I will never forget that. I hope to stay with this team because it's going very well and I have confidence in Patrice and Paul Lafargue. We will do the 24 Hours of Le Mans again, the Selection Committee willing, with even bigger goals, and also the ELMS to go after the title."