Ligier JS F4 Series: Grand premiere in Louisiana
Teddy Musella (JS F4 #25, Scuderia Buell) and Kekai Hauanio (JS F4 #29, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport) are the first winners in the history of the Ligier JS F4 Series, the new series dedicated to the first generation of Ligier Formula 4, the Ligier JS F4. The launch of the championship took place from 11 to 14 April 2024 at the NOLA Motorsports Park circuit near New Orleans.
- In the single-seater pyramid, the birth in 2024 of the Ligier JS F4 Series is the first step towards the F4 U.S. Championship (Ligier JS F422) and FR Americas (Ligier JS F3). Fourteen competitors were entered for this inaugural event.
Race 1:
- Teddy Musella (JS F4 #25, Scuderia Buell), who took pole position in the morning, dominated Race 1 on Saturday 13: “Being the first-ever race for the Ligier JS F4 Series, getting the pole and leading every lap—it was just an incredible experience.”
- Kekai Hauanio (JS F4 #29, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport) was his main rival, before contact forced him to pit.
- From the F1 Academy, Maite Caceres (JS F4 #6, International Motorsports) climbed from sixth to second place. Bacon Zelenka (JS F4 #45, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport) completed the podium.
For the article on Race 1, CLICK HERE.
Race 2:
- In Race 2, Hauanio took the lead from the first corner.
- Back in second, Caceres took command with less than three minutes to go. But a spin on the penultimate lap relegated her to third place behind Musella and winner Hauanio.
- “The first race this morning was not to our liking, but we got it done in the second one today,” Hauanio recapped.
For the article on race 2, CLICK HERE.
Race 3:
- Battling it out from the start of Race 3 on Sunday, Musella, Hauanio and Caceres were wheel-to-wheel with just a few minutes to go.
- The last few kilometres saw Caceres fall victim to uncertain roadholding. Seventh at the finish, she moved up two places after Brad Majman (#95, Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport) and Zelenka were each penalised by five seconds. Musella scored his second win of the season. The other two podium places went to Bacon Zelenka and Daniel Quimby (#24, Atlantic Racing Team).
- “It was a tough race,” said Musella from atop the podium. “Kekai [Hauanio] had a little bit more pace than me at the end—he was having good pace the whole race. Defending down the back straight, especially after that safety car restart, was just a mess, really. Coming out on top is just an amazing feeling.” This triple podium makes him the first overall leader in the history of the Ligier JS F4 Series.
For the article on race 3, CLICK HERE.
The next round will take place from 16 to 19 May in Wisconsin, on the Road America circuit.
For more information:
Ligier JS F4, CLICK HERE.
Ligier JS F4 Series, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit:
Gavin Baker