Ligier has introduced its first three prospects for its next-generation LMP2 vehicles, which can make their aggressive debut in 2028.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the French model revealed that Algarve Professional Racing, Inter Europol Competitors and Panis Competitors will marketing campaign the brand new Ligier JS P228 when it turns into eligible for competitors in two years.
All three squads beforehand raced the present Ligier JS P217 in LMP2 competitors, earlier than Oreca’s dominance pressured them to change to the ever-present 07.
“Seeing three groups of this calibre select the Ligier JS P228 is an incredible recognition of the work carried out by everybody at Ligier Automotive,” mentioned Jacques Nicolet, president of Ligier Automotive. “Algarve Professional Racing, Inter Europol Competitors and Panis Racing are three extremely skilled, profitable groups with a deep dedication to endurance racing.
“We now have been capable of exhibit the complete extent of our ambition via the assets we now have dedicated to this new set of rules, and we’re very proud to welcome them among the many first Ligier LMP2 groups for 2028.”
Ligier prospects
Picture by: Ligier
LMP2 rules are being overhauled for the primary time since 2017, with Ligier and Oreca chosen because the designated suppliers for the brand new chassis.
This marks a departure from the present guidelines, which permit 4 producers – Dallara and Multimatic along with Ligier and Oreca – to construct vehicles to LMP2 specification,
Nevertheless, whereas LMP2 was conceived as an open competitors between these 4 manufacturers, Oreca’s dominance successfully turned it right into a one-make class.
Whereas gross sales of the Oreca 07 soared, Multimatic, Ligier and Dallara as a substitute switched consideration to working with mainstream producers on constructing LMDh vehicles for each the World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
It’s now 4 years since a non-Oreca LMP2 automotive raced on the Le Mans 24 Hours, with 2022 marking the Ligier JS P217’s ultimate look within the French endurance traditional.
The return of Ligier, mixed with Oreca’s anticipated buyer line-up, ought to create a real multi-car battle in LMP2 when the brand new rules take impact.
The brand new era of vehicles will make their debut within the European Le Mans Sequence and Le Mans itself in 2028, earlier than changing into eligible for competitors in IMSA the next yr.
Ligier’s new prospects Inter Europol, Algarve Professional and Panis Racing have been all current on this yr’s Le Mans, with the first-named profitable within the LMP2 class for the second yr operating with the Oreca 07.
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