European Le Mans Series: Pole Position, Victory and a 100% Ligier JS P325 Top Seven at the 4 Hours of Imola
Another show of strength for the Ligier teams in the European Le Mans Series. From July 3 to 5, 2026, during the third round of the season at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the Ligier JS P325 claimed pole position, victory, the fastest race lap and a 100% Ligier JS P325 top seven in the LMP3 category.
After already securing pole position and a top five at the previous round at Le Castellet, the Ligier teams confirmed their momentum at Imola. Starting from pole position, the #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325, driven by Paul Lanchère, Louis Iglesias and Alexander Jacoby, claimed its first win of the season ahead of the #5 Rinaldi Racing Ligier JS P325 and the #8 Team Virage Ligier JS P325.
Louis Iglesias Takes Pole on His ELMS Debut with CLX Motorsport
The qualifying session was particularly competitive, but Louis Iglesias managed to take the lead in the closing minutes. As the checkered flag fell, the young French driver set a lap time of 1:38.367 and secured pole position in the LMP3 category with the #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325.
It was a remarkable performance on his championship debut, against an especially strong field.
The #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325 Leads the Race
On Sunday, July 5, the competitors took the start of the four-hour race under clear skies and in high temperatures at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
Paul Lanchère took control of the LMP3 category at the wheel of the #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325. The reigning LMP3 champion quickly placed the car at the front of the field.
During the first race neutralization, two Ligier JS P325s, the leading #17 and the #8 Team Virage, chose to adopt an offset strategy by completing their mandatory pit stops. It proved to be a decisive strategic choice in the final part of the race.
A Winning Strategy for CLX Motorsport
After several hours of racing marked by numerous neutralizations to secure the track following multiple incidents, the fight for victory tightened up.
The #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325 retook the lead when Louis Iglesias passed the #8 Team Virage. The young driver then pulled away at the front of the category and held the advantage through to the checkered flag.
With an advantage of nearly 30 seconds over their pursuers, Paul Lanchère, Louis Iglesias and Alexander Jacoby gave CLX Motorsport its first European Le Mans Series victory of the season.
A Perfect Weekend for Louis Iglesias
After taking pole position the day before on his ELMS debut, Louis Iglesias completed his weekend with victory and the fastest race lap in the LMP3 category.
At the wheel of the #17 CLX Motorsport Ligier JS P325, he set the fastest lap with a time of 1:40.442, confirming the performance of both the car and the crew throughout the event.
A 100% Ligier JS P325 Top Seven
Behind the #17 CLX Motorsport car, the Ligier JS P325s locked out the top positions in the LMP3 standings.
The #5 Rinaldi Racing Ligier JS P325, driven by José Fernandes Cautela, Alvise Rodella and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen, finished second. The #8 Team Virage Ligier JS P325, entrusted to Louis Stern, Mattéo Quintarelli and Daniel Nogales, completed the podium.
Ligier teams therefore secured a 100% Ligier JS P325 top seven at the finish of the 4 Hours of Imola.
Three Ligier Teams Lead the Championship
In the provisional LMP3 standings, three teams competing with the Ligier JS P325 occupy the top three positions.
The #5 Rinaldi Racing leads with 49 points, ahead of the #13 Inter Europol Competition with 41 points and the #17 CLX Motorsport with 40 points. With three races still to go, the title fight remains wide open.
European Le Mans Series competitors will now enjoy a well-deserved summer break before returning to the track for the fourth round of the season, the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, on Sunday, August 23.
CLICK HERE for the results and HERE for the reactions from the LMP3 category winners.
To learn more about the ELMS championship, CLICK HERE.
For more information about the Ligier JS P325, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit: DPPI