From Setback to Comeback — Team Étoile Ready for Le Mans after a Successful Test
One year on from a heartbreaking retirement, Team Étoile completes its Le Mans 24 Hours test in full readiness — determined to go beyond the finish this time.
Team Étoile experienced a heartbreaking retirement. A 24-hour race we couldn’t finish, a checkered flag we couldn’t witness. Ever since that moment, we’ve been preparing—driven by the desire to turn that frustration into redemption. Now, we’ve returned to this place, ready to turn the page.
On April 1st and 2nd, 2025, at the Bugatti Circuit in France, we took part in the Pre-Le Mans Collective Test. With many EWC teams in attendance, our four riders completed 14 practical test programs over the course of two days. The wide range of air and track temperatures gave us valuable opportunities to simulate various race scenarios—an essential step toward achieving our goal: to finish the race.
This test wasn’t just about rehearsing race procedures like starts and pit work. It also included optimizing fuel mapping for greater efficiency and helping our newest rider become familiar with the circuit. We approached every detail as if it were race day—and our preparation shows that intensity.
Hikari Okubo provided consistent and intelligent feedback, interpreting changes in tires and setup with precision, giving the team clear direction in development. Kazuki Watanabe faced some issues on Day 1 but overcame them with his teammates, steadily improving his lap times on Day 2. Motoharu Itō, facing his first European round with nerves, turned each lap into a learning experience—gaining real confidence with every session. Kyosuke Okuda, despite limited track time, matched his pace from last year and delivered a stable performance that builds trust heading into the race.
For Team Étoile, these two days weren’t just a routine test—they were a crucial step forward, laying the foundation for race day. Now all that’s left is to race. We’ll use every moment before the flag drops to prepare as best we can—so that in 2025, we cross that finish line together.
To everyone supporting us—we aim to deliver a moment you’ll never forget.
Rider & team principal comments
Rider
Hikari Okubo
"Looking back on the past two days, I feel that we had a very productive test. It was our first overseas test of the season, and while we did face a few issues, we ultimately achieved our target lap times and steadily worked through the planned test items. Thanks to the support of the team, we were able to overcome each challenge one by one, making it a truly valuable experience. The knowledge and confidence gained from this test will definitely be put to good use during the actual race. We’ll continue our preparations for the next step and push for the best possible result. Thank you for your continued support!"
Rider
Kazuki Watanabe
"We successfully completed the two-day test and were fortunate to have better weather than expected. It’s always difficult to replicate Le Mans conditions, so being able to run in dry weather was a huge advantage. On the first day, we faced several issues including setup-related ones, but by the second day we had resolved them and were able to steadily improve both our best lap and average times. This test has given us a clear direction heading into the race, and we’ll use the remaining two weeks to prepare thoroughly. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to having you cheer us on during the race!"
Rider
Motoharu Ito
"This was my first time riding in Europe, and I was extremely nervous at the beginning. I went off track on my very first lap at the Bugatti Circuit, but even that experience helped me truly feel the atmosphere of racing in Europe. These two days were a real wake-up call for me and provided valuable lessons as I look ahead to the race itself. With two weeks to go, I’ll be focusing on preparing both mentally and physically for the race. To everyone supporting me—thank you, and please keep cheering me on!"
Rider
Kyosuke Okuda
"Over the past two days, we were lucky to have great weather and were able to run in dry conditions. To be honest, I do wish I could have completed a few more laps, but within the limited time, I was able to bring my pace back to the same level as last year. That allowed us to finish the test on a very positive note heading into the race. As we prepare for the upcoming race, I’ll focus on being able to maintain a consistent pace throughout. I’ll give it everything I’ve got to make the most of what we’ve gained from this test, and I appreciate your continued support!"
Team Principal
Takashi Ichikawa
"First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who always supports and stands by us. The frustration we experienced at Le Mans last year became a major turning point for our team. With that in mind, our riders, crew, and I myself have been preparing with strong determination for this year.
During this test, each rider steadily gained confidence, tackled challenges head-on, and showed clear signs of progress. While we weren’t able to complete every item on our test plan due to weather and time constraints, we experienced no major issues or crashes during the sessions, and were able to confirm many important aspects in preparation for the race.
Our goal is simple: to finish the race and share that joy with all those who support us. We will make the most of the time we have left and continue preparing thoroughly. Please continue to cheer us on until the very end—we truly appreciate your warm support."
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