European Le Mans Series: Another full house for the Ligier JS P325 at Le Castellet
The 4 Heures du Castellet, the second round of the 2025 European Le Mans Series season, confirms the outstanding performance of the Ligier JS P325, the latest-generation LMP3 Ligier. After a successful debut in Barcelona with a first 100% Ligier podium finish, the French brand repeated the achievement at the Circuit Paul Ricard. CLX Motorsport dominated free practice, claiming a second consecutive pole position before taking another victory with the #17 Ligier JS P325 of Paul Lanchère, Theodor Jensen and Adrien Closmenil. M Racing and Eurointernational completed the podium.
Free Practice: CLX Motorsport takes the lead.
From the very first free practice session, the CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325 #17 was the leader, with Adrien Closmenil setting the fastest time of 1:58.701. This was followed by the Team Virage (Rik Koen) Ligier JS P325 #8 in 1:58.817 and the Inter Europol Competition (Reece Gold) Ligier JS P325 #88 in 1:59.067.
The second 90-minute session confirmed this pattern, with the CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325 #17 once again in the lead thanks to a lap of 1:59.539 by Adrien Closmenil.
Qualifying: Another pole for Adrien Closmenil
Qualifying for the 4 Heures du Castellet confirms CLX Motorsport's strong start. Adrien Closmenil secured the team's second consecutive pole position of the season, with a lap of 1:57.194. He was ahead of the #8 Ligier JS P325 of Team Virage (Rik Koen), which completed the front row with a time of 1:58.119.
A race full of twists and turns
The race began under the threat of rain, forcing the teams to choose between slick or rain tires. During the two formation laps, rain began to fall on certain sections of the circuit. Several cars lost control, and a collision between AF Corse's #83 and Team Virage's #8 Ligier JS P325 resulted in major damage and the safety car entering the track. The cars followed the safety car for two laps.
The restart sees the majority of drivers pit to fit rain tires. The #68 M Racing Ligier JS P325, with Stéphane Tribaudini at the wheel, takes the lead. The #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325, with Paul Lanchère at the wheel, was third.
The safety car is deployed once again after an LMP2 competitor goes off track. After 12 minutes, the race resumes with the #68 M Racing Ligier JS P325 leading the LMP3 field.
The rain intensifies on the Paul Ricard circuit and visibility is severely reduced. Incidents multiplied, with cars running off track and debris on the circuit. A short Full Course Yellow neutralization was called to allow the cars to clear the track.
With over an hour remaining on the clock, the safety car was once again deployed, reshuffling the pack for the end of the race. The #68 M Racing Ligier JS P325, then in the lead, suffered a drive-through, allowing the #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325 to take the lead.
After 4 hours of racing, Adrien Closmenil, at the wheel of the #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325 for the final stint, crossed the finish line 24.9 seconds ahead of the #68 M Racing Ligier JS P325 driven by Quentin Antonel and Sebastien Tribaudini and the #11 Eurointernational Ligier JS P325 driven by Fabien Michal and Ian Aguilera.
This latest success marks the second consecutive victory this season for CLX Motorsport and its trio of Paul Lanchère, Theodor Jensen and Adrien Closmenil, and the second 100% Ligier podium. Adrien Closmenil set the fastest race time in 2:00.132.
A 100% Ligier Top 7 in the LMP3 Standings
After two rounds, Ligier JS P325s occupy the top seven spots in the provisional LMP3 standings. Leading the way is the #17 Ligier JS P325 of CLX Motorsport, with 52 points thanks to two pole positions and back-to-back victories. It is followed by the #68 Ligier JS P325 of M Racing with 30 points, and the #88 Inter Europol Competition Ligier JS P325 with 27. Rounding out the top 7 are the #15 of RLR MSport, #35 of Ultimate, #11 of EuroInternational, and #31 of Racing Spirit of Leman—confirming a strong start to the season for Ligier's latest-generation LMP3.
Next stop on the 2025 European Le Mans Series: the 4 Hours of Imola, Sunday July 6.
Photo credit: DPPI
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