Five Ligier JS P325 Entered in the New Prototype Cup Europe
The 2026 season marks the launch of Prototype Cup Europe, a new championship dedicated to third-generation LMP3 prototypes. On the grid for this inaugural season, five Ligier JS P325 will be entered by four teams, confirming the French manufacturer's strong presence among the new generation of LMP3 prototypes in Europe.
Alongside teams already familiar with the Ligier ecosystem, two new organizations are joining the Ligier family for this inaugural season: Swedish team Allay Racing, which will field two cars, and German team German Motor Sports Team.
A New European Championship for Third-Generation LMP3
Organized by Creventic, in partnership with the ACO and Michelin, Prototype Cup Europe represents an evolution of the Prototype Cup Germany championship, which has been successfully run over the past several years.
The 2026 championship will feature four race meetings, each with two 55-minute races, reserved for Gen 3 LMP3 prototypes powered by the Toyota twin-turbo V6 engine.
The calendar will take teams to several iconic European motorsport circuits:
- March 20–22: Mugello (Italy)
- July 4–6: Nürburgring (Germany)
- July 31 – August 2: Monza (Italy)
- September 3–4: Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
The 2026 champion will receive an invitation to compete in the 2027 Michelin Le Mans Cup, including participation in Road to Le Mans, the support race for the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Two New Teams Join the Ligier Family
Among the new teams entering with Ligier is Allay Racing, a Swedish outfit founded by brothers Emil and Linus Hellberg. The two Bronze-rated drivers will each race a Ligier JS P325 throughout the season as part of a long-term project aimed at progressing to international endurance racing and ultimately competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Another new entrant joining the Ligier ranks is German Motor Sports Team, which will make its debut in the category with a Ligier JS P325 run as a customer program by GEBHARDT Motorsport. The team will rely on an experienced driver lineup featuring Valentino Catalano, champion of Prototype Cup Germany in 2024 and IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge in 2025, alongside Jacob Erlbacher, who also brings extensive LMP3 experience.
Established Ligier Teams on the Grid
Alongside these new entrants, several teams already competing with Ligier sports prototypes will also be present on the grid.
Team Virage will make its full-season debut in Prototype Cup Europe with the #73 Ligier JS P325. The team fields a complementary driver lineup combining experience and emerging talent, with Dom Bastien, who brings experience from the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, paired with Theo Micouris, 2024 Ligier European Series champion in JS P4, who has already demonstrated his pace in LMP3 with two podium finishes in the 2025 Michelin Le Mans Cup.
Aust Motorsport will also be on the grid with Maxim Dirickx, continuing a collaboration that began last season. Both team and driver now benefit from increased experience in LMP3 competition and, after securing several podium finishes in recent seasons, will head into 2026 aiming to take the next step and fight for victories.
With five Ligier JS P325 entered in the very first edition of the championship, the third-generation LMP3 prototype continues to attract European teams and expand its presence across endurance racing championships.
The inaugural Prototype Cup Europe season will begin March 20–22, 2026, at the Mugello circuit.
To learn more about the championship, CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE for more information about the Ligier JS P325, the third generation of Ligier LMP3.
DISCOVER HERE the limited-edition Ligier JS P3X, celebrating 10 years of LMP3 with Ligier Automotive.
Photo credit: Allay Racing.