Ligier Announces Three LMP2 Customer Teams for 2028

Ligier Automotive has announced that three leading teams, Algarve Pro Racing, Inter Europol Competition and Panis Racing, have committed to using its under-development LMP2 car when the next regulations cycle begins in 2028.

The French manufacturer, one of two designated suppliers for the next generation of LMP2 car along with ORECA, is set to give the JS P228 its debut when the new regulations come on stream for the 2028 European Le Mans Series season.

It is also set to make its first appearance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2022, when its current JS P217 was last used for the French endurance classic.

Ligier Automotive President Jacques Nicolet said: “Seeing three teams of this caliber choose the Ligier JS P228 is a tremendous recognition of the work carried out by everyone at Ligier Automotive.

“Algarve Pro Racing, Inter Europol Competition and Panis Racing are three highly experienced, successful teams with a deep commitment to endurance racing.

“We have been able to demonstrate the full extent of our ambition through the resources we have committed to this new set of regulations, and we are very proud to welcome them among the first Ligier LMP2 teams for 2028.”

All three teams announced by Ligier have history of using the JS P217 before later switching to the dominant Oreca 07 platform.

Algarve Pro owners Stewart and Samantha Cox said that “there is something very special about the opportunity to reunite with the brand for the beginning of this new generation”, adding they believe the JS P228 will be a competitive proposition.

“What has really convinced us to return to Ligier Automotive is the vision and ambition of Jacques Nicolet,” they said. “He has always had an extraordinary passion for endurance racing and a determination to see Ligier competing and winning at the highest level.

“Today, we can see that same ambition being carried forward by Pierre [Nicolet] and the next generation of Ligier. We believe in that vision.

“We believe in the resources and commitment behind the Ligier JS P228, and we believe Ligier has the ambition to establish itself at the very front of the new era of LMP2.”

Inter Europol manager Sascha Fassbender commented: “As a team, we have always demonstrated that we are willing to take a different path and we enjoy taking on new challenges.

“Together with Ligier, we believe we can bring a fresh dynamic to the LMP2 category.”

Panis Racing owner Olivier Panis highlighted the shared history he has with the Ligier brand, with which he took his sole Formula 1 win in the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix.

“That name is part of my history and my career,” said Panis. “When the opportunity came up to work together again for 2028, it felt like the obvious choice.

“There is something very strong between Ligier and me — a shared chapter in French motorsport history that we want to keep writing together.”

After first appearing in the ELMS in 2028, Ligier’s new challenger will make its Asian Le Mans Series debut in 2028-29 and then will take on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship when it begins accepting the new cars in 2029.