It was at IDEC SPORT’s new premises in Signes, and in the presence of the drivers, that the LMP2 and LMP3 revealed their colors for the 2024 season at the Salon Rétromobile. The new design pays homage to Matra’s 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans victory, while looking to the future.
A long-awaited comeback
Announced at the Rétromobile 2024 Show last January, the return of the famous Matra manufacturer under the IDEC Sport stable to motor racing is becoming a little more concrete. Matra officially announces its entry into the world’s finest field by being selected to take part in the ELMS championship and the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race. 50 years after its last victory on this circuit, Matra announces its official return to the starting line.
On Monday March 18, 2024, IDEC SPORT revealed the design of its new livery, created in partnership with Matra. On this occasion, the heads of the two brands, Patrice Lafargue and Grégory Trebaolas well as the IDEC SPORT drivers. Paul Lafargue, Reshad et Gerus and Job Van Uitert were present.
A design in homage to the last victory
The majority of the Oreca #28’s color scheme is a dark metallic blue, highlighted by a touch of gold, which runs from the nose of the car to the sides, as well as to the sides of the rear spoiler. The white of the 1974 MS670B graphically encompasses the cockpit. Some parts are left unfinished, revealing the carbon that makes up the LMP2, such as the front blade and the air intake above the cockpit. The Matra logo sits proudly on the nose, ready to take on the various circuits that lie ahead.
As he does every season, and even more so this year, driver Paul Lafargues has invested a great deal of time and effort in the design of this livery:
“We started out in the 70s, with the famous blue, which we wanted to be modern and deep. So we opted for the metallic side. There’s also the white line on the side and the white cockpit, which you could see on the Matras of the time. There was green, red and yellow to differentiate them, but we chose gold. It’s a tribute to victory, medals and trophies. To apply these choices, we were divided: we were thinking of something modern, which can be found in LMP2, or retro to respect Matra’s history. We decided to go for a good mix. I think the car will come out well on the track. I like the result, it’s still classy and I’ll be proud to drive in it. The aim wasn’t to surprise, but to rekindle a flame. We just wanted to bring the brand up to date and make it evolve, to put it back in the current endurance scene.”
At Matra, there was no shortage of ideas, and they came quickly, as Group Managing Director Emilie Rambonona explains:
“We wanted to recapture the spirit of the Matra team’s three victories in ‘72, ’73 and ’74. We took the emblematic blue and combined it with gold, which is synonymous with victory. It’s sober, like Matra, which focused primarily on performance. We have a heritage, so that gives us ideas, and we capitalize on them. The main message is that we want to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Matra’s last victory at Le Mans. We’re already feeling the buzz, both internally within the Rebirth Group, and externally with all the stakeholders we work with. »
En plus de la LMP2, la LMP3 Ligier, se pare également du même design. The #17 will be flying the Michelin Le Mans Cup flag. It will be led by Patrice Lafargue and Dino Lunardi.
Patrice Lafargue, CEO of IDEC Group and IDEC SPORT driver:
“Originally, we had only thought of the LMP2, and then finally we decided to include the LMP3 and give it the same design as its big sister. It’s a real source of pride. I was already very excited to have a Matra-badged team car, with all the symbolism that implies. But this means that I too will be racing under the colors of this beautiful brand, and that’s a real honor. I think it’s superb, and I can’t wait to present it to all those who support IDEC SPORT.
Grégory Trebaol, CEO of Rebirth and owner of Matra was also present at the Retromobile show:
“It’s great to see the cars in our colors. We announced the partnership at the Rétromobile Show and now it’s becoming very concrete. History meets current events. Even if there’s still room to develop this adventure even further. We can say that 50 years after the last victory at Le Mans, Matra will be back in the European championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I’m convinced that this presentation is the start of a wonderful communion with the fans.”
2024 European Le Mans Series calendar
- Prologue Barcelona (Spain) April 8-9, 2024
- 4 Hours of Barcelona (Spain): April 14, 2024
- 4 Hours of Castellet (France): May 5, 2024
- 4 Hours of Imola (Italy): July 7, 2024
- 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium): August 25, 2024
- 4 Hours of Mugello (Italy): September 29, 2024
- 4 Hours of Portimão (Portugal): October 19, 2024
About Matra
First present on the podiums of the greatest motor races in the 1970s, then designer of the most famous and best-selling minivan in Europe, the Matra brand has been putting its know-how and experience at the service of electric-assist bicycles for almost 20 years.
Today, the Matra brand (Rebirth Group) is present on the i-Flow, i-Step and i-Force electric bike models, which are distinguished by their sleek, dynamic and sporty character. Matra also designs concepts and technological approaches that foreshadow production models.
Matra website : https://matra.com/snow-cross
Matra catalog : https://matra.com/content/catalogue.pdf
Matra Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/matra.officiel/
