Prototype Cup Europe: Pole Position, Race 1 One-Two and 100% Ligier JS P325 Top Three in Race 2 at the Nürburgring
The Ligier JS P325s ran at the front throughout the second round of the 2026 Prototype Cup Europe season, held from July 3 to 5 at the Nürburgring. After Danny Soufi claimed pole position with the #11 GMS Team Ligier JS P325, he and Valentino Catalano went on to win Race 1 ahead of the #3 Aust Motorsport Ligier JS P325. The following day, Aust Motorsport struck back with Maxim Dirickx and Nigel Moore, while the Ligier JS P325s locked out the top three positions in Race 2.
First Pole Position for GMS Team
On Friday, July 3, the Prototype Cup Europe competitors returned to the Nürburgring GP Circuit for the second round of the season.
From qualifying, Danny Soufi stood out at the wheel of the #11 GMS Team Ligier JS P325. In his first appearance of the season in the championship, the American driver claimed pole position for Race 1 by five tenths of a second with a lap time of 1:49.218.
GMS Team Wins Race 1
On Saturday, July 4, Danny Soufi made an excellent start from pole position. At the wheel of the #11 GMS Team Ligier JS P325, he held the lead into Turn 1 and quickly opened a gap at the front.
The American driver then set a series of fastest laps and built a comfortable advantage before handing the car over to Valentino Catalano during the mandatory mid-race pit stop. Once the pit stop cycle was complete, Catalano returned to the track with an 11-second lead over his pursuers.
Despite worn tires at the end of his stint, he maintained a strong pace and crossed the finish line as the winner with a lead of nearly 30 seconds. The victory also gave Valentino Catalano the win in the Prototype Cup Europe Junior Championship.
“It was an amazing race, the car was mega – GMS did a mega job with the car and I felt really comfortable,” said Catalano. “At the end it got tricky because the tyres were really worn, but I think the pace was still good. Danny did an awesome job in the first stint, so my life was a bit easier in the second stint. I'm really happy with the result, with the win, especially for the championship.”
A Ligier JS P325 One-Two in Race 1
Behind the #11 GMS Team Ligier JS P325, Aust Motorsport also finished on the podium.
Maxim Dirickx and Nigel Moore took second place at the wheel of the #3 Aust Motorsport Ligier JS P325. After an attacking stint from Nigel Moore in the second half of the race, the crew moved up the order and secured second place.
The #48 Allay Racing Ligier JS P325, driven by Emil Hellberg, finished sixth and won the Prototype Cup Europe Trophy Championship. His brother Linus Hellberg brought the sister #43 car home in seventh place. The P4 Racing Ligier JS P325, shared by Louis Hamilton-Smith and Andrew Ferguson, finished eighth.
Aust Motorsport Strikes Back in Race 2
On Sunday, July 5, the second race of the weekend began in cooler conditions. From the start, Nigel Moore made an excellent getaway in the #3 Aust Motorsport Ligier JS P325 and took advantage of the first-corner action to move into the lead.
He quickly built a five-second gap before handing the car over to Maxim Dirickx during the mandatory pit stop. Once the stops were complete, Dirickx resumed in the lead with a reduced advantage, while the GMS Team and Allay Racing Ligier JS P325s came back into contention for victory.
In the final laps, Danny Soufi, at the wheel of the #11 GMS Team Ligier JS P325, passed Emil Hellberg for second place and closed in on the #3 Aust Motorsport car. Maxim Dirickx held on to the lead through to the checkered flag, winning by just seven tenths of a second.
“I'm really happy, the team did a great job with the car,” said Maxim Dirickx. “Nigel did an amazing job at the start of the race, I just had to bring it home. Honestly I'm really happy, it's been a great weekend for us with the championship.”
100% Ligier JS P325 Top Three in Race 2
The second race ended with a podium made up entirely of Ligier JS P325s.
Maxim Dirickx and Nigel Moore took victory with the #3 Aust Motorsport Ligier JS P325. Valentino Catalano and Danny Soufi finished second with the #11 GMS Team Ligier JS P325, while Emil Hellberg completed the podium at the wheel of the #48 Allay Racing Ligier JS P325.
With this third-place finish, Emil Hellberg also secured a second victory in the Prototype Cup Europe Trophy Championship.
The Ligier JS P325s at the Front of the Championship
Thanks to his victory and second-place finish at the Nürburgring, Maxim Dirickx retains the lead in the 2026 Prototype Cup Europe championship.
The 2026 Prototype Cup Europe season will continue at Monza, Italy, from July 31 to August 2, for the third round of the championship.
CLICK HERE to view Race 1 results.
CLICK HERE to view Race 2 results.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Prototype Cup Europe.
CLICK HERE to discover the Ligier JS P325.
Photo credit: Prototype Cup Europe