Le Mans and Sebring winner poised to rejoin title fight following successful vertebra surgery
French endurance ace Tom Dillmann, fresh off LMP2 class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12 Hours of Sebring, is poised to make a stirring return to action after suffering a fractured vertebra in a heavy crash during the IMSA race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP). A successful vertebrae operation was completed this past week. According to Inter Europol Competition, he is expected to resume competition in just four weeks.
Crash and Recovery
- During the final stint at CTMP, Dillmann was leading the race when a mechanical issue caused him to crash heavily into the wall with approximately 20 minutes remaining. Medical staff confirmed he was alert and stable, though precautions were taken as he was stretchered off track.
- Dillmann later acknowledged on social media that while the mechanical failure robbed him of a potential win, he remained determined: “I will need a bit of time to recover from an injury, but I will be back swinging ASAP, you can be sure.”
Timetable to Return
Inter Europol Competition has confirmed that Connor De Phillippi, a BMW factory driver, will pilot Dillmann’s No. 43 ORECA alongside Jeremy Clarke at Road America (Aug 1–3), ensuring continuity in the lineup.
Dillmann is expected to return to the cockpit at the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on August 23rd, then rejoin IMSA competition at Indianapolis’ Battle On The Bricks on September 21.
Dillmann’s 2025 Highlights
- Champion LMP2 class winner at Le Mans, aboard the Inter Europol #43 Oreca with co-drivers Kuba Śmiechowski and Nick Yelloly, securing a narrow—and dramatic—victory.
- Led at CTMP before his crash, with back-to-back second-place finishes earlier in the season positioning the team third overall in the ELMS standings.
Performance Timeline
| Event | Status |
|---|---|
| CTMP Crash | Fractured vertebra; raced from the lead |
| Surgery | Completed successfully post-crash |
| Road America | Sitting out, replaced by De Phillippi |
| ELMS Spa | Expected return, four weeks after crash |
| IMSA @ Indianapolis | Return anticipated late September |
What Dillmann Said
Reflecting on the aftermath, Dillmann posted:
“Successful vertebrae operation last week. Recovery has been boosted; feeling better already and should be good to go in a couple of weeks.” As the Inter Europol team put it: “Tom is okay—and that’s the most important news for us.”
What’s Next
When he returns, Dillmann will slot right back into title contention, with his Inter Europol team trailing early season leaders by only a few points in both ELMS and IMSA campaigns. His presence behind the wheel of the #43 Oreca is expected to offer a significant performance boost as championship battles intensify.
