Interview of Romain Boeckler, leader of the 2024 Junior class in Ligier JS Cup France

Interview with Romain Boeckler, 21, driver of the #15 TMP by LVR Ligier JS2 R, who leads the Junior standings with 135 points.

In 2017, Romain Boeckler took part in the first season of the FFSA Academy Junior Karting championship before moving up to F4 France in 2018 and then to the 308 Racing Cup in 2019. In 2020, he was crowned Clio Cup France Junior Champion and finished seventh overall. After a season in Clio Cup Europe in 2021, he joined the Funyo Sprint Cup and finished runner-up in the Espoir championship in 2022 and Espoir champion in 2023.

1. Why did you choose to join the Ligier Junior Programme?

“My father and I decided to enter the Ligier JS Cup France and take part in the Ligier Junior Programme because we believe I have what it takes to win. Since I started out in motorsport, budget has always been an obstacle, and it's a real opportunity for us to win a grant from Ligier to be able to compete in endurance racing.”

2. What is your goal?

“My aim is to become a professional driver and one day race in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Like all young people, I wanted to race in Formula 1, but I had to renounce because of the budget and the lack of opportunities. These days, it's in endurance racing that there are the most opportunities to pursue your passion by becoming a professional driver.

Alongside my sports programme, I'm in my fourth year of engineering school and doing a part-time placement with a company. This allows me to add another string to my bow and develop my technical knowledge so that I can be more precise in my feedback to engineers and mechanics. Once I've got my degree, I'm going to concentrate 100% on motor sport to give myself the best possible chance.

3. How is your season going in the Ligier JS Cup France?

“There's a very good atmosphere and a good state of mind among the drivers, even if we're all obviously here to win the championship. To do that, we need to be as consistent as possible. After three races with three different Junior winners, we can see that the competition is tough and that anyone can win and create a surprise. There's a leading pack that's pulling away but nothing's decided yet. The first forty minutes of the race are extremely competitive.”

4. How are the gentlemen drivers and the Ligier Junior Programme drivers getting on?

“There's a good dynamic. It's like a little championship within the big championship and the mix of drivers helps, I think, to push everyone to the top. We benefit from the experience of the gentlemen drivers and we can measure ourselves against them. It's all very positive.”