APEX RACEWIRE Newsroom
Ligier Secures Three Key Partners for 2028 LMP2 Rollout
Algarve Pro Racing, Inter Europol Competition, and Panis Racing have committed to the upcoming Ligier JS P228 platform for the 2028 regulation cycle.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-19T12:02:00.000Z - 2 min read
The landscape of the LMP2 category is set for a significant shift in 2028, with three prominent endurance teams aligning with Ligier Automotive for the debut of the JS P228. Algarve Pro Racing, Inter Europol Competition, and Panis Racing have confirmed their commitment to the French manufacturer’s next-generation prototype, marking a strategic pivot away from the current Oreca-dominated grid as the new regulation cycle begins.
Ligier, selected by the ACO and FIA as one of two official chassis suppliers for the upcoming era, views these partnerships as a vital validation of its development program. The JS P228, currently being engineered in collaboration with the company's North American division, is tasked with returning the brand to the forefront of the Le Mans class after years of being sidelined by rival designs.
For Algarve Pro Racing, the decision represents a reunion with a manufacturer that underpinned its early years. Stewart and Samantha Cox noted that the team’s ambition to challenge for world titles was a primary driver for the switch, citing a renewed confidence in the vision held by the Nicolet family for the brand’s future competitiveness.
Inter Europol Competition, meanwhile, approaches the transition as a chance to shake up the status quo. Team manager Sascha Fassbender indicated that the organization’s willingness to pursue alternative paths informed the selection, aiming to inject a fresh dynamic into the category alongside the new machinery.
Panis Racing’s involvement carries a distinct personal element for team owner Olivier Panis, who famously secured his 1996 Monaco Grand Prix victory in a Ligier chassis. The team plans to integrate its new project under the management of VPS Racing, with Aurélien Panis overseeing the transition toward the 2028 debut.
While these teams have established their intent, it is worth noting that current paddock whispers suggest further manufacturer alliances may be finalized in the coming months. Reports circulating in the pit lane imply that other established squads are still weighing the performance potential of the Ligier platform against the yet-to-be-fully-revealed technical details of the competing ORECA entry. These claims remain unconfirmed, and no further team commitments have been officially validated by the sanctioning bodies.
The timeline for the JS P228 is aggressive, with its competitive debut slated for the 2028 European Le Mans Series season. Following its European unveiling, the prototype is scheduled to move into the Asian Le Mans Series for the 2028/29 winter season, with an expansion into the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship expected to follow in 2029.