VDS Panis Racing Secures 2025 ELMS LMP2 Championship Win

It wasn’t an easy ride, but it certainly was a spectacular one!

After a season filled with twists, setbacks, and standout performances, VDS Panis Racing sealed the 2025 ELMS LMP2 Championship with a statement victory at Portimão. Behind the wheel of the #48 ORECA 07, Ollie Gray, Esteban Masson, and Charles Milesi delivered when it mattered most, pulling off a decisive win that crowned their late-season resurgence.

This wasn’t a tale of dominance from start to finish, but of resilience, strategy, and seizing the moment when everything was on the line. From tight battles on track to flawless teamwork in the pits, their triumph marked a defining chapter for the team – and a breakthrough moment for one of motorsport’s brightest young stars.

Welcome to the story behind the victory – the teamwork, the emotion, and what the future holds for one of British motorsports’ up-and-coming stars, Ollie Gray!

• A Season of Dominance: The Journey to Glory
• The Championship-Deciding Race
• Rising Star: Ollie Gray’s Standout Season
• Rivalries and Key Competitors
• Team Reactions and Celebrations
• What’s Next for Ollie Gray?

Ollie Gray, Esteban Masson, and Charles Milesi stand beside their Championship winning car and the 2025 LMP2 ELMS Trophy

A Season of Dominance: The Journey to Glory

The road to the ELMS LMP2 title was anything but straightforward for VDS Panis Racing. The season was a rollercoaster of highs and hurdles – flashes of brilliance, moments of frustration, and an unwavering belief that momentum would turn their way. With every round, the trio of Ollie Gray, Esteban Masson, and Charles Milesi learned, adapted, and grew stronger, setting up one of the most thrilling championship runs in recent memory.

Having began his enurance racing career a year prior with Itner Europol, Ollie believed that the team at VDS Panis Racing would get the very best out of him, in which he said in an interview with dailysportscar.com:

“Last year I was just surprised how high the leve was at Itner Europol, coming from F3 and single-seaters. I never felt uncomfortable or anything, but now in 2025, I feel like I can focus on speed rather than learning the car.”

🇪🇸 Barcelona – A Promising Start

The season opener in Barcelona offered a glimpse of what was to come. The #48 car showed early pace, mixing it with the frontrunners and even leading at points thanks to sharp driving and strategy. But a few small setbacks in the second half saw them slip back, finishing just outside the top spots. It wasn’t the dream start, but it proved the potential was there — the spark of something special beginning to build.

🇫🇷 Paul Ricard – Finding Their Feet

Round two, at Paul Ricard, brought a tougher challenge. A tricky race with unpredictable conditions tested the team’s rhythm and consistency. Though they couldn’t quite fight for the win, VDS Panis Racing held their ground, banking valuable points and sharpening their setup for what lay ahead. The podium might have been out of reach, but the belief was quietly growing.

🇮🇹 Imola – The Breakthrough

Everything clicked at Imola. After weeks of refining and regrouping, the #48 crew delivered their first win of the season in style. Despite red flags and chaos early on, their composure under pressure paid off — a bold drive that put them firmly back in championship contention. It was the moment confidence turned into conviction.

🇧🇪 Spa-Francorchamps – Statement Victory

Momentum carried straight into Spa, and this time the team was unstoppable. Before the action got underway, Ollie’s focus and poise was on full display, stating:

“We just need to keep focused on ourselves for Spa… The Panis car was strong last year there and we’ve been strong all year, we need to build on what we have.”

Ollie Gray launched from the start with intent, Masson maintained their commanding pace, and Milesi brought it home with control and precision. A clear, confident win by a healthy margin — the kind that tells the rest of the grid you’re here for the title.

🇬🇧 Silverstone – When Luck Ran Out

By the time Silverstone arrived, VDS Panis were edging closer to championship glory. But motorsport can be cruel – a race packed with red flags, collisions, and interruptions saw their hopes of sealing the title early slip away. It was a frustrating day, with circumstances out of their hands, but the resilience the team had shown all season stayed intact. They knew Portimão would be their moment.

🇵🇹 Portimão – The Perfect Finale

Ollie Gray and VDS Panis Racing celebrated their historic 2025 LMP2 ELMS title in style!

And what a finale it was! At Portimão, VDS Panis Racing rose to the occasion, delivering a commanding, faultless performance to take both the race win and the championship crown. The #48 was untouchable — quick, composed, and in control from lights to flag. It was the victory that defined their season, sealing an incredible comeback story built on teamwork, determination, and raw pace.

The Championship-Deciding Race – 4 Hours of Portimão

Everything came down to the 4 Hours of Portimão – the grand finale of the 2025 ELMS season and the ultimate test for VDS Panis Racing. With the title hanging in the balance, the pressure was immense. Every lap, every pit stop, every decision carried the weight of an entire season’s effort.

From the moment the lights went out, the #48 car looked razor sharp. Ollie Gray set the tone with a blistering opening stint, carving through traffic and putting the team firmly in control. Esteban Masson kept the momentum alive, managing the pace with calm precision, before Charles Milesi stepped in to bring it home – a masterclass in control under pressure.

While chaos unfolded elsewhere in the field, VDS Panis executed their race to near perfection. Their strategy was seamless, pit work faultless, and pace relentless. As the final hour approached, it became clear: this was their race to lose.

When the chequered flag fell, the #48 crossed the line first – not just as race winners, but as champions. It was a performance defined by focus, teamwork, and redemption. After a season of near-misses and hard lessons, VDS Panis Racing had saved their very best for the moment that mattered most.

The celebrations that followed said it all – relief, pride, and pure joy. From the garage to the podium, every smile told the same story: they had done it, and they’d done it their way.

Rising Star: Ollie Gray’s Standout Season

At just twenty years old, Ollie Gray has emerged as one of the brightest young prospects in endurance racing – and this season proved exactly why. Joining VDS Panis Racing for his first full ELMS campaign, Gray arrived with talent and promise, but he leaves it as a champion and a driver every paddock is talking about, not to mention his incredible performance at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans!

From the opening laps in Barcelona, his raw pace was impossible to ignore. Confident, composed, and fearless in wheel-to-wheel battles, Gray quickly showed he could mix it with seasoned endurance racers. His ability to adapt to different circuits, weather conditions, and race dynamics made him an invaluable asset to the #48 team.

Ollie Gray embraces a fellow member of the VDS Panis Racing team, after securing victory in Portimão.

But what really defined his season was resilience. After the early rounds didn’t quite go their way, Gray’s determination only grew stronger. His performances at Imola and Spa were nothing short of exceptional — precise, aggressive when it mattered, and calm under pressure. Each race added to his growing reputation as a driver with both speed and maturity beyond his years.

By the time the championship reached Portimão, Gray had evolved from a promising rookie into a genuine race leader. His opening stint in the finale set the tone for victory – fast, intelligent, and relentlessly focused. It was a defining moment that showcased just how far he’d come in one season.

Now, with an ELMS title to his name and eyes turning his way from across the motorsport world, Ollie Gray’s future looks incredibly bright. This season didn’t just boost his profile – it announced him as one of endurance racing’s next big stars.

Rivalries and Key Competitors

No championship is won in isolation – and for VDS Panis Racing, every step towards the title came with fierce competition. The 2025 ELMS LMP2 grid was stacked with talent, and the battle for supremacy was relentless from the very first round.

Among their toughest challengers were IDEC Sport, Inter Europol Competition, and Cool Racing – three teams that never stopped pushing the pace. IDEC Sport’s strategy and consistency kept them in contention race after race, while Inter Europol emerged as a major threat mid-season, often matching VDS Panis for outright speed and tactical execution. Cool Racing, meanwhile, were constant podium contenders, ready to capitalise whenever the leaders faltered.

At times, the rivalry on track was intense – wheel-to-wheel battles, strategic gambles in pit lane, and races decided by mere seconds. Yet it was in those high-pressure moments that VDS Panis Racing’s composure stood out. They didn’t just respond to their rivals – they out-thought and outdrove them when it mattered most.

By the time the championship reached its final rounds, the fight had narrowed to a handful of true contenders. Inter Europol’s persistence, IDEC’s tactical sharpness, and the sheer depth of the field made every race a challenge. But when Portimão arrived, it was VDS Panis Racing who rose above the rest – sealing the championship not through luck, but through resilience, precision, and unity.

The respect among teams was clear, but so was the outcome: in 2025, VDS Panis Racing were the ones to beat.

Team Reactions and Celebrations

When the chequered flag fell at Portimão, it wasn’t just a race that had been won – it was a dream realised. As the #48 crossed the line with Charles Milesi bringing the car home, the pit wall erupted. Engineers, mechanics and team members who had lived every high and low of the season leapt to their feet in unison, tears and cheers blending into one unforgettable moment of pure emotion.

In the garage, Ollie Gray and Esteban Masson embraced teammates, grinning through exhaustion and overcome with relief – as they watched Charles complete the final laps. The celebration was split between the track and the paddock: hugs and laughter in the garage, and full-throttle joy on the pit wall as the final metres ticked away.

Team Principal Olivier Panis looked on with unmistakable satisfaction – a proud smile that spoke of long nights, hard choices, and the unwavering belief that this group could reach the top. It wasn’t just about the trophy; it was about every person who’d poured their heart into the season.

As the champagne flowed and the Algarve sunset bathed the paddock, the scale of the achievement began to sink in. Cameras flashed, team shirts were hoisted, and for one magical evening everything slowed down. They’d done it – together.

The wider team at VDS Panis Racing celebrate after securing the 2025 LMP2 ELMS title in style!

The celebration continued the following night at the awards ceremony, where the team came together in full triumph to mark the season’s successes. Cheers, applause, and heartfelt speeches highlighted not only the championship victory but also Ollie Gray’s recognition with the Wingfoot Award, celebrating his standout contributions and breakthrough performances. The ceremony was a moment to reflect, rejoice, and look forward — a perfect capstone to a season defined by resilience, teamwork, and passion.

For VDS Panis Racing, the title was proof that perseverance, unity and heart can carry a team from hopeful contenders to champions of Europe.

What’s Next for Ollie Gray?

For Ollie Gray, this season feels like just the beginning. Fresh from helping secure VDS Panis Racing’s first ELMS LMP2 Championship title, his rise through the ranks has been nothing short of remarkable – and the momentum is only building.

Gray’s performances throughout 2025 didn’t just win him a trophy; they caught the attention of teams and fans far beyond the European Le Mans Series. His blend of pace, precision, and composure under pressure has marked him as one of the most exciting young British drivers on the grid.

The highlight of the season came at Portimão, where Gray’s incredible efforts were recognised with the Wingfoot Award – celebrating his standout contributions, skill, and impact in the championship-winning campaign.

Looking ahead, Gray is already preparing for the next step in his journey, with post-season tests in Bahrain on the horizon having been aselected to take part in the FIA’s World Endurance Championship rookie test. Each test represents another chance to sharpen his skills, gain valuable experience, and continue building the foundation for a long and successful career in endurance racing – and perhaps one day, on the biggest stages of motorsport.

Calm, humble, and quietly determined, Ollie Gray has proven he’s more than a rising star – he’s a racer built for the future. Wherever he lines up next, one thing is certain: this is only the beginning of something extraordinary!

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