Ligier JS F4 Series, COTA: Teddy Musella Makes History as the First Champion
Teddy Musella (Ligier JS F4 #25, Scuderia Buell) clinched the inaugural Ligier JS F4 Series title in style, winning the first two races of the season finale at Circuit of the Americas from October 31 to November 3. His performance also secured the team championship for Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport.
Musella started the weekend strong, taking pole position with a lap time of 2:14.849. His closest title rival, Kekai Hauanio (Ligier JS F4 #29, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport), set the fastest time in free practice (2:15.469) but qualified fourth.
Race 1: Musella Dominates While Hauanio Faces a Setback
Starting from pole, Musella led the race from start to finish. Hauanio moved into second by lap three after Sacha van't Pad Bosch (Ligier JS F4 #27, Scuderia Buell) spun, and he overtook Leonardo Escorpioni (Ligier JS F4 #26, Champagne Racing).
However, Hauanio's luck ran out in the final lap when he encountered mechanical issues and was penalized for a collision with Escorpioni. This penalty forced him to start Race 2 from the pit lane.
Escorpioni claimed second place behind Musella, with Maite Caceres completing the podium for International Motorsports in her Ligier JS F4 #6.
Read the full Race 1 report HERE.
Race 2: Musella Secures the Title with a Fifth Victory
Race 2 featured two intense battles: one between van't Pad Bosch and Escorpioni for the lead, and another between Musella and Caceres for third.
Musella eventually reclaimed the lead and pulled away from the pack. A mid-race caution allowed Hauanio, who had started from the pits, to fight his way back to fourth.
With this win, his fifth of the season, Musella clinched the championship with a commanding 33.5-point lead:
“We had quite an unlucky start falling back to fourth, but I knew to just focus on the championship — take positions and don't make any risky moves,”
Read the full Race 2 report HERE.
Race 3: Van't Pad Bosch Ends the Season on a High Note
Sacha van't Pad Bosch capped off his first-ever weekend racing in the U.S. with a victory in the season's final race.
After being relegated to the back of the grid due to a technical infraction in Race 2, the Dutch driver carved his way through the field to reach fourth. He then capitalized on a collision involving Escorpioni, Hauanio, and Musella to seize the lead.
The Scuderia Buell team ended the season with a one-two finish, as van't Pad Bosch crossed the line ahead of his teammate Musella. Habir Dass (Ligier JS F4 #23, Berg DMG Racing) rounded out the podium.
In the championship standings, Musella took the crown, followed by Hauanio in second. Uruguay's Maite Caceres secured third place overall.
Read the full Race 3 report HERE.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The Ligier JS F4 Series will return for its second season at NOLA Motorsports Park from March 27 to 30, 2025.
For more information on the Ligier JS F4 Series, CLICK HERE
To know more about the Ligier JS F4, CLICK HERE
Photo credit: Gavin Baker