Rebellion Stripped of Overall Le Mans Podium in Post-Race Exclusion

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Rebellion Racing has been stripped of its overall podium finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans after being found to have run un-homologated bodywork to ease access to the starter motor on its No. 13 Oreca 07 Gibson.

Per technical marshals, modifications to the bodywork were found to have been made, not in compliance with the LMP2 regulations, prompting an exclusion for the David Heinemeier Hansson, Nelson Piquet Jr., and Mathias Beche-driven entry, which had finished 3rd overall and second in class.

It’s understood a hole had been made in the bodywork, allowing mechanics easier access to the starter motor to restart the engine after pit stops.

The car suffered issues with its starter motor earlier in the race, which had dropped them from the class lead at the time.

The ACO also determined a second infraction, for “unauthorized intervention in the closed parc [ferme] after the race.”

Rebellion has confirmed plans to appeal the ruling.

For now, it promotes the No. 37 Jackie Chan DC Racing Oreca to second in class and third overall in the results.

It gives the Chinese-backed, British-run team a double overall podium, with the No. 37 car of Alex Brundle, David Cheng and Tristan Gommendy joining class winners Ho-Pin Tung, Thomas Laurent and Olly Jarvis.

Signatech Alpine Matmut, meanwhile, takes the final spot in the LMP2 class podium with its No. 35 Alpine A470 Nissan.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.