Despite the challenges of a global pandemic and a fragile economic climate, the Ligier European Series managed to attract a healthy 15-strong grid of Ligier JS2 Rs and JS P4s for its inaugural season. As the 2020 season is about to reach its climax at Portimão in the Algarve, the Ligier European Series revealed the 2021 calendar and a sprinkling of new features.

Six races are scheduled for the 2021 season – that’s one more than in 2020. Barcelona, Red Bull Ring, Monza, Le Castellet, Spa-Francorchamps and Portimão are the six racetracks that will host the series.
The race format remains the same with three hours and forty minutes of track action spread over two days: one hour of free practice, two 20-minute qualifying sessions determining the grid positions of each race, and two 60-minute races. However, for greater efficiency, the two qualifying sessions will be combined with a ten-minute break between each one.

The 2021 Ligier European Series calendar:

• Heat 1: Barcelona – 16-17 April 2021
• Heat 2: Red Bull Ring – 14-15 May 2021
• Heat 3: Monza – 9-10 July 2021
• Heat 4: Le Castellet – 27- 28 August 2021
• Heat 5: Spa-Francorchamps – 17-18 September 2021
• Heat 6: Portimão – 22-23 October 2021

Obviously, the current pandemic may cause this calendar to be revised.

Jacques Nicolet, President of Ligier Automotive: It was a very particular first season given the health and economic situation. With nearly 15 cars on average, it was a promising debut. This year has allowed us and the ELMS teams to draw lessons in order to adapt and respond as well as possible to the expectations of the drivers and teams. We are going to do everything we can to make 2021 a complete success. Naturally, we are delighted with our collaboration with the ELMS teams! We are very proud to have succeeded with them, our teams and their drivers, to place the Ligier European Series in the endurance landscape.

Gérard Neveu, CEO of European Le Mans Series: This first season of the Ligier European Series met all our expectations. It also let us learn the lessons of a first experience for this all-new series and to propose from 2021 an even more attractive Ligier championship. The Ligier European Series is the first step in the ascent to the summits of Endurance racing. A step high enough to satisfy the expectations of our competitors but still accessible enough to welcome newcomers. See you in 2021!

You can find more Ligier European Series news on the championship website.