First customer orders confirmed for next-gen LMP2

It feels like “game on” for the next generation of LMP2 between chassis suppliers ORECA and Ligier Automotive, with the news today that the latter has confirmed its first customers for the formula.

Three of the category’s leading teams, Algarve Pro Racing, Inter Europol Competition and Panis Racing, have chosen the JS P228 for their LMP2 futures. It's a huge statement of intent from Ligier, as it will prevent a continuation of ORECA’s current stranglehold on the marketplace when the transition takes place.

All three squads have prior LMP2 history with Ligier and the JS P217, but switched to the ORECA 07 chassis during the course of the current regulation cycle, which debuted in 2017.

“Seeing three teams of this caliber choose the Ligier JS P228 is a tremendous recognition of the work carried out by everyone at Ligier Automotive,” said Jacques Nicolet, president of Ligier Automotive. “Algarve Pro Racing, Inter Europol Competition and Panis Racing are three highly experienced, successful teams with a deep commitment to endurance racing. We have been able to demonstrate the full extent of our ambition through the resources we have committed to this new set of regulations, and we are very proud to welcome them among the first Ligier LMP2 teams for 2028.

“Since the announcement of our selection in 2025, the entire group has been focused on this project. We know how much this category means to the teams and drivers, but also to Ligier. That is why Ligier Automotive, together with its sister company HP Composites and its 500 employees, is doing everything possible to make a strong return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2028 alongside the racing teams that have placed their trust in us.”

Algarve Pro Racing has found success in all three series where LMP2 currently races, including a record six titles in the Asian Le Mans Series. In 2026 alone, the Portuguese squad has won the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Asian Le Mans Series and, in LMP2 Pro/Am, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It also currently leads the European Le Mans Series’ LMP2 Pro/Am class.

“The story of Algarve Pro Racing in LMP2 started with Ligier, so there is something very special about the opportunity to reunite with the brand for the beginning of this new generation,” a statement from Algarve Pro Racing’s co-founders Samantha and Stewart Cox read. “Since those early days, APR has grown enormously and we have been fortunate to achieve a great deal of success in LMP2. That makes the decision about our future particularly important to us.

“What has really convinced us to return to Ligier Automotive is the vision and ambition of Jacques Nicolet. He has always had an extraordinary passion for endurance racing and a determination to see Ligier competing and winning at the highest level. Today, we can see that same ambition being carried forward by Pierre and the next generation of Ligier.

“We believe in that vision. We believe in the resources and commitment behind the Ligier JS P228, and we believe Ligier has the ambition to establish itself at the very front of the new era of LMP2. APR races to win. We are not choosing a chassis simply to be on the grid in 2028. We are choosing Ligier because our ambitions are aligned: we want to fight for championships and for victories at the biggest endurance races in the world.

“For us, it feels like coming full circle – returning to where the APR LMP2 story began, but this time with everything we have learned and achieved along the way. We are extremely excited about what we can achieve together.”

Inter Europol Competition, meanwhile, has won three of the past four editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2, including securing a 1-2 finish at this year’s event. Like with Algarve Pro Racing, the Polish outfit currently maintains a presence in all three LMP2 series.

“We at Inter Europol Competition are convinced that we have found the right manufacturer in Ligier Automotive,” said team manager Sascha Fassbender. “We have great trust in Ligier to build a fantastic race car that will allow us to continue the success story of Inter Europol Competition. As a team, we have always demonstrated that we are willing to take a different path and we enjoy taking on new challenges. Together with Ligier, we believe we can bring a fresh dynamic to the LMP2 category.

"We are looking forward to this new project and to getting started in 2028. We are very confident that we have made the right decision and are extremely excited about what lies ahead.”

Reigning ELMS champion Panis Racing completes the trio of high-profile Ligier signings, reuniting Olivier Panis with the brand that he won the Monaco Grand Prix with 30 years ago.

Notably, Olivier Panis’ eponymous squad will also switch service provider by 2028, with the car set to be run in partnership with VPS Racing, which is currently a Ligier customer in LMP3. Panis Racing and VPS Racing share a common title partner in Forestier. VPS was also co-founded by Olivier’s son Aurélien Panis.

For the past three seasons, TDS Racing has operated Panis Racing’s LMP2 program. During this time, the team has transformed into one of the category’s benchmark operations, winning five of the past seven ELMS races, the 2025 ELMS title, and twice finishing on the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“My win in Monaco in 1996 came with Ligier. That name is part of my history and my career. When the opportunity came up to work together again for 2028, it felt like the obvious choice,” Panis said. “There is something very strong between Ligier and me – a shared chapter in French motorsport history that we want to keep writing together. The entire Panis Racing team will rely on VPS Racing, the organization run by my son Aurélien and his partners. It is a family project in every sense of the word.

“I believe in this project and in this car to win races and ultimately fight for victory at Le Mans.”

Ligier's news today adds to the previous announcements from ORECA confirming Anglo-American outfit United Autosports and Duqueine Team among the initial customers for its 09 chassis. Ligier and ORECA are the only two nominated chassis suppliers for the new formula, which once again will be powered by Gibson.

The next-gen LMP2 ruleset will debut in the 2028 European Le Mans Series and 2028-29 Asian Le Mans Series, before being introduced to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2029.