The third round of the 2026 Ligier European Series gets down to business on the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. On Saturday 6 June, from 8:00am, the 39 Ligier JS P4 and Ligier JS2 R cars entered take to the track for a 45-minute free practice session, giving the drivers their first opportunity to find their bearings on the 13.626-kilometre full Circuit de la Sarthe.
In sunny conditions, with an air temperature of 13°C and a track temperature of 21°C, the competitors make the most of this sole free practice session to get to grips with the circuit, fine-tune their set-ups and prepare as effectively as possible for qualifying. The session is interrupted by just one two-minute Full Course Yellow, caused by the #93 Petrogold Ligier JS P4 going off track and damaging its left-rear wing, leaving it unable to continue.
Ligier JS P4: Simone Riccitelli and LR Motorsport snatch the fastest time on the final lap
In Ligier JS P4, Simone Riccitelli makes a strong statement at the wheel of the #7 LR Motorsport entry. The Italian, current championship leader, confirms his pace on the full Le Mans circuit. Having already set the fastest time in JS2 R free practice in 2025 on the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit with a 4:23.892, he now tops the JS P4 order on his very last lap, setting the benchmark time of 4:08.676.
At the wheel of the #6 ANS Motorsport Ligier JS P4, Mika Abrahams sets the second-fastest time in 4:09.326. Luiz Carlos Perez Cabello, who had led the session for a long time, places the #12 ASM Motorsport car third with a 4:10.100.
In the AM classification, Emil Hellberg stands out on his championship debut with Allay Racing. Driving the #48 Ligier JS P4, he sets the fastest time in 4:11.774.
Ligier JS2 R: Marcus Terkildsen and 23Events Racing pip the field at the post
The JS2 R category also delivers its share of twists and turns. After just under 30 minutes, Natan Bihel, a two-time Le Mans Heat winner, leads the way at the wheel of the #53 MRacing Ligier JS2 R with a lap time of 4:22.197.
With eight minutes remaining before the chequered flag, Clément Loeul, who already took part in the Le Mans Heat in 2024, moves ahead in the #90 LADC Motorsport Ligier JS2 R with a 4:21.784. But the battle is not over. Just over six minutes from the end of the session, Marcus Terkildsen takes the top spot at the wheel of the #88 23Events Racing entry. Entered for the full season and already the fastest driver in every free practice and qualifying session since the start of the year, he confirms his pace with a lap in 4:19.160.
With four minutes remaining, Antonin Bernard, currently leading the JS2 R championship at the wheel of the #41 VSF Sports car, sets the second-fastest time in 4:21.418. Clément Loeul completes the top three ahead of Natan Bihel, who improves late in the session with a 4:21.790.
In PRO/AM, Cindy Gudet sets the pace in the #75 M Racing Ligier JS2 R with a best lap of 4:24.263. In AM, Christian Gisy proves the fastest at the wheel of the #10 LADC Motorsport car in 4:31.994.
On to qualifying
After this first run on the full circuit, the drivers will return to the track at 9:15am for a 20-minute qualifying session that will determine the starting grid. The 60-minute race will then take place at 2:00pm, with 39 cars ready to do battle in the exceptional setting of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
For the full free practice results, CLICK HERE.
Photo credit: DPPI
