European Le Mans Series : Pole position and victory for RLR MSport at Le Castellet
Eight Ligier JS P320s took part in the second weekend of the 2024 European Le Mans Series at the Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France. The #15 RLR MSport car, driven by Michael Jensen, Nick Adcock and Gaël Julien, started from pole position and took victory. The #35 Ultimate Racing JS P320 (Matthieu Lahaye/ Jean-Baptise Lahaye/ Eric Trouillet) finished third.
- On Saturday, the Ligier teams showed their potential by topping free practice with the #15 RLR MSport driven by Michael Jensen, Nick Adcock and Gaël Julien.
- The RLR MSport crew repeated the feat later in the day, taking pole position in the LMP3 class with Gaël Julien's lap of 1:48.867, 2.4 seconds quicker than the 2023 pole position. The #17 COOL Racing Ligier JS P320 with Manuel Espirito at the wheel finished qualifying just 0'124 behind the #15 Ligier. Gillian Henrion, winner of the first race, took third place on the grid with the #8 Team Virage Ligier JS P320.
- The start of the 4-hour race was given under blue skies.
- After a difficult start, the #15 RLR MSport team set about reeling in the field to take the lead. Following a fantastic double stint, Gaël Julien crossed the finish line in the lead, giving RLR MSport its first win of the ELMS season.
- The #35 Ultimate Racing Ligier JS P320, driven by Matthieu Lahaye, Jean-Baptiste Lahaye and Eric Trouillet finished third.
Michael Jensen, #15 RLR MSport Ligier JS P320, winner of the 4 Hours of Le Castellet, LMP3 : "It was a bit tricky at the start, but after that I was able to fight my way back up the field. I then handed over to Nick who drove a very good stint. Gaël then did the last double stint and did an incredible job."
Nick Adcock, #15 RLR MSport Ligier JS P320, winner of the 4 Hours of Le Castellet, LMP3 : "The car was perfect. It's the chassis with which we won two races in the Asian Le Mans Series. The car is so well set up and when the car is fast everything becomes easier. I really enjoyed my stint."
Gaël Julien, #15 RLR MSport Ligier JS P320, winner of the 4 Hours of Le Castellet, LMP3 : "I really had a great double stint. Of course the track is very nice, I love fast circuits. As my team-mates said, the car was just perfect. We started from pole, and we won the race so thanks to the team for all their hard work."
The next round of the European Le Mans Series will take place on July 6 and 7 in Italy. In the meantime, the next meeting for the Ligier JS P320s will be Road To Le Mans on the opening day of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
For the full results, CLICK HERE.
For more information on the championship, CLICK HERE.
To find out more about the Ligier JS P320, CLICK HERE