McCaughan Confirms 2026 Ligier European Series Campaign With Team Virage

All pictures provided by DPPI Images / Ligier European Series.

Motorsport rising star Brandon McCaughan is ready to seize the biggest opportunity of his prototype racing career to date, after confirming a deal to compete in the Ligier European Series full-time this year with reigning champions Team Virage.

Following two brilliant outings in the Ligier European Series over the past couple of seasons, including a perfect double victory at Silverstone last year, the Northern Irishman has secured the opportunity to showcase his immense talent across a full season of top-level prototype competition.

McCaughan first linked up with Team Virage, who have won the LES drivers’ title three times, for the final round of the 2024 campaign. After impressively producing podium pace on his prototype racing debut in Portimão, he returned to the grid in spectacular fashion at Silverstone.

The 22-year-old talent set a blistering pace as he earnt a maiden Ligier pole position in qualifying, before two faultless race performances netted him a pair of victories. Those results firmly cemented his status as a rising star to watch in prototype racing.

McCaughan will benefit from that previous experience as he gets back behind the wheel of a Ligier JS P4 this season. The entry-level sports prototype, which features a closed cockpit and carbon monocoque, is powered by a 3.7 litre V6 Ford engine and has a six-speed paddle-shift gearbox.

The Ballymena-based racer will share his Ligier JS P4 with 16-year-old talent Sebastien Kawpeng. The Filipino driver celebrated a podium finish on his LES debut, and together they hope to be a formidable partnership in the ultra-competitive championship.

McCaughan, who is a former race-winner in BRSCC National Formula Ford and the GB4 Championship, will be competing this season thanks to the crucial support of his loyal partners; UtilityMapz, I.J. Lynn & Sons, ADM Group and AAA Biomass Services Ltd.

Brandon McCaughan: “I can't wait to get started! It's been a lot of hard work and determination to get to this point. It's an amazing feeling to finally sign a full season drive in Europe, and to get the opportunity to race with Team Virage again in the Ligier European Series.

“I'm dedicated to be at my best, as we've got to hit the ground running in Barcelona, I believe that we can really challenge at the front and push for the title this year. It's all thanks to the team, I.J. Lynn & Sons and UtilityMapz for their support.”

Julien Gerbi – Team Manager: "We are very excited to move forward with Brandon on a full season programme with Team Virage. He demonstrated he has the pace to fight for a championship, so we’ll do what we can to provide him and Sebastien with the best tools to achieve this objective."

The Ligier European Series was launched in 2020 as the first step on the Automobile Club de l’Ouest competitions pyramid. The single-make, multi-class championship serves as a stepping stone into the Michelin Le Mans Cup, European Le Mans Series and ultimately the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The 2026 calendar features six rounds across some of Europe’s finest circuits, with every race streamed live and free on the Ligier European Series’ YouTube channel. The highlights for McCaughan include returns to Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, plus his first time racing on the legendary Circuit de le Sarthe in support of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.