Ligier Automotive and Le Mans Endurance Management are pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership around the Ligier European Series for the next three seasons. Launched in 2020, the series continues to grow and has established itself as a key platform for getting started in endurance racing.
A Thriving Series
The Ligier European Series continues its upward trajectory with a record grid of 26 cars entered for 2025. Teams and drivers from all over the world now trust this championship to launch or strengthen their endurance racing careers.
Held as a support series to the Michelin Le Mans Cup (LMC) and the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), the championship benefits from a prestigious calendar: Barcelona, Le Castellet, Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone, Portimão… and of course, Le Mans. The round on the legendary 24 Hours circuit, held during the official Test Day, is one of the highlights of the season.
A True Springboard to the ACO Championships
Renowned for its role in developing talent, the Ligier European Series has firmly established itself as a genuine stepping stone to the ACO championships. Increasingly, LMC and ELMS teams rely on the series to scout and train the endurance stars of tomorrow. In 2025, no fewer than eight former Ligier European Series drivers competed in Road to Le Mans—two of whom made it to the podium—providing clear evidence of the series' effectiveness as a feeder program.
The prize structure implemented by Ligier Automotive further strengthens this momentum. The JS P4 champion(s) receive €150,000 to compete the following season in the Michelin Le Mans Cup at the wheel of the new Ligier JS P325. Meanwhile, the JS2 R champion(s) are awarded €100,000 to move up to the JS P4 category within the Ligier European Series.
The most striking example remains Gillian Henrion, who was crowned JS P4 champion in 2022. Thanks to the prize fund, he stepped up to the Michelin Le Mans Cup in 2023 with a Ligier JS P320 and clinched the LMP3 title. In 2024, he continued his rise in the European Le Mans Series and was selected for the WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain. In 2025, he takes on a double programme in both the ELMS and the Michelin Le Mans Cup, still driving a Ligier JS P325.
Jacques Nicolet, President of Ligier Automotive:
“The Ligier European Series was born from a shared ambition with Le Mans Endurance Management: to provide an accessible yet ambitious platform to train the future talents of endurance racing. Five years later, the results speak for themselves. This renewed partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening this development pathway, closely aligned with the ACO championships, and to better supporting teams and drivers alike.”
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management:
“The Ligier European Series has established itself as a benchmark championship for making a debut in endurance racing. Its calendar, level of competition, professional organization, and clear progression routes to higher-level series make it truly unique. We’re delighted to continue this partnership with Ligier Automotive for another three seasons.”
