Ligier European Series: Solidifying Its Role in Endurance Racing
The Ligier European Series (LES) is emerging as a vital component of the sports car racing hierarchy, gaining momentum with an impressive 26-car full-season entry in 2025, up from its inaugural 12-car grid in 2020. This growth is underscored by a peak of 33 participants during the Le Mans weekend, demonstrating the series’ robust appeal amid a challenging motorsport landscape.
Founded by Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM) and Ligier Automotive, the LES has effectively carved out its niche as a multi-class competition, featuring the JS P4 and JS 2R models. Managing Director Pierre Nicolet emphasized, “Getting to 20 cars was an important milestone, and now we are at 25-26… Our ultimate goal is to gather a 30-35 car grid. There’s room to grow, especially with heightened interest in WEC and Hypercar.”
The LES has attracted established teams such as Iron Lynx, Team Virage, and Inter Europol Competition, leveraging its association with the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) to boost visibility and marketability. Nicolet stated, “The series promotes itself just by being part of the package, which has drawn current ELMS teams to explore our business model.”
Key to its success is the cost-effective structure that LMEM and Ligier have implemented. The price for a 2025 Ligier JS P4 stands at approximately €170,000, while the JS 2R costs around €109,000, with a full-season entry fee below €20,000. This value is further accentuated by a prize fund that offers €150,000 for the JS P4 champion and €100,000 for the JS2 R winner to assist their transition into higher-tier competitions.
The series has seen no significant rise in operating budgets, thanks to steady technical regulations and strategic efficiency measures, such as limiting tire allocations. Nicolet noted, “We still manage to stay within the same budget as 2021… the level is higher, producing more talent,” highlighting the series as a platform for drivers like Sebastien Baud and Gillian Henrion, who have progressed to premier endurance racing circuits.
Moving forward, CMEM and Ligier aim for stability and sustained participation, emphasizing continuity in the existing car platforms. Nicolet explained, “There are no significant updates planned… we want to keep these cars around for a lot longer.”
The LES is committed to maintaining a six-race calendar, including a return to significant venues such as Silverstone and the Circuit de la Sarthe, marking it as a fixture in the endurance racing calendar through 2028. Strategies include potential expansions and efforts to build long-term relationships with teams.
As Nicolet concluded, “Keeping customers coming back year after year is the priority… we hope to regularly transition drivers from the Ligier European Series to the Le Mans 24 Hours.” The Ligier European Series’ steady growth not only reinforces its role in the endurance racing ecosystem but also highlights its potential for fostering future stars of the sport.
