Le Mans Cup, Road to Le Mans: Historic win for Léna Bühler, Matteo Quintarelli, and the #50 Ligier of 23Events Racing in Race 2
On Saturday, June 14, 2025, just before the start of the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the second Road To Le Mans race delivered a thrilling showdown in front of packed grandstands. Neutralized three times by the safety car, the 60-minute race came down to a one-lap sprint to the finish. At the checkered flag, Léna Bühler and Matteo Quintarelli took the win in the #50 Ligier JS P325 of 23Events Racing. In doing so, Léna Bühler made history as the first woman to win a race overall in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. It also marked the fourth consecutive victory in Michelin Le Mans Cup for the Ligier JS P325 since its debut, confirming a strong start to the season in LMP3.
Qualifying 2: Another disrupted session
Just like the first qualifying session—marked by three red flags and no valid lap times (see the Race 1 recap)—the second session was also cut short after two red flags. Only four cars managed to set a lap before the session was brought to an early end.
In response, race officials decided to set the starting grid for Race 2 based on the best times from Free Practice 2. As a result, the #16 Ligier JS P325 of Team Virage claimed pole position, with its sister car, the #8, right behind. In the LMP3 Pro/Am class, the #43 of Inter Europol Competition started from the top spot.
A chaotic start and an early safety car
The race began at 10:05 a.m., but the first few corners turned into chaos. The #8 Ligier JS P325 of Team Virage was hit by the #29 of Forestier Racing by VPS, spun around, and left blocking the track. Several cars were forced to take evasive action to avoid contact.
Meanwhile, a collision between two LMGT3s at the Dunlop bridge triggered the first safety car intervention. The race remained neutralized for 15 minutes.
Bühler in pursuit, Rousset penalized
When the race resumed, Louis Rousset led in the #29 Ligier JS P325 of Forestier Racing by VPS, followed by Léna Bühler in the #50 of 23Events Racing and Quentin Antonel in the #68 of M Racing.
Rousset's lead didn't last long. As the mandatory pit stop window approached, he came under pressure from Bühler—and was handed a drive-through penalty for causing the earlier incident with the #8.
Quintarelli takes the lead.
After the pit stops, Matteo Quintarelli exited the pits in the lead with the #50 Ligier JS P325 of 23Events Racing. He was followed by Theodor Jensen in the #37 Ligier of CLX Motorsport.
The race was once again interrupted, this time due to two LMGT3 cars going off at Mulsanne and Indianapolis. The race resumed briefly before a third safety car was deployed: the #37 Ligier JS P325 of CLX Motorsport ran wide in the final corner and spun onto the start/finish straight. Simultaneously, two LMP3s collided in Turn 3.
One lap to decide it all
The race restarted with three minutes remaining for one final, decisive lap. Quintarelli kept his cool and crossed the finish line first, delivering a historic win for 23Events Racing.
A woman makes history in the Michelin Le Mans Cup.
With this result, Léna Bühler becomes the first woman to win a race overall in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, further establishing herself as a rising talent in the LMP3 category.
Next up: Spa-Francorchamps
The 2025 Michelin Le Mans Cup season continues with Round 4, scheduled for Saturday, August 23, at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
To have more information on the Michelin Le Mans Cup, CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE to have more information on the Ligier JS P325, the third generation of Ligier LMP3.
Photo credit: DPPI