Brandon McCaughan Charges To Double Ligier Win At Silverstone

Motorsport rising star Brandon McCaughan is celebrating the biggest moment of his prototype racing career to date, having secured a perfect pair of race victories in the Ligier European Series at Silverstone (12-13 September).

Hot on the heels of his hugely impressive performance in the Michelin Le Mans Cup at Spa-Francorchamps three weeks’ prior, McCaughan was back on track for his second appearance in the Ligier European Series after debuting in the 2024 season finale at Portimão last October.

The 21-year-old talent was reunited with reigning champions Team Virage for his return to the championship. The Spanish squad placed him alongside prototype debutant Leo Robinson for the event, with the duo sharing a Ligier JS P4 for a pair of one-hour races on Saturday.

The track action began on Friday, with McCaughan using the opening free practice session as a chance to get reacquainted with the Ligier almost a year on from his last time in the car. He then adapted well to a change to wet conditions from the second practice run, setting the fifth fastest time overall.

Back on dry tarmac for his qualifying session, the Northern Irishman put in an exemplary performance. Despite a red flag stoppage limiting him to only two flying laps, he set a blistering pace around the 3.66-mile Silverstone Grand Prix circuit to secure a sensational maiden Ligier pole position.

Robinson followed him up with an impressive third fastest in his session, ensuring they would start both races in prime position to mount podium challenges. It was McCaughan who began behind the wheel for the opener and he slotted into second during a frenetic opening lap.

The Ballymena-based racer didn’t wait long to go on the offensive though, pulling off a supreme move around the outside of Stowe corner to take the lead on lap two. While he lost the place at Brooklands later in the lap, he hit back straight away with a dive down the inside at Copse to start lap three.

McCaughan settled into the lead of the race from there and set a quick pace at the front of the field. While the strong slipstream effect down the long Silverstone straights kept championship leader Romain Boeckler looming in his mirrors, McCaughan kept him at bay through to the pitstop window.

Robinson continued the duel with Boeckler after the pitstops, with the duo trading the lead a couple of times. In similar fashion to McCaughan though, Robinson was able to take control at the front and bring the #1 Team Virage car home for a stunning maiden Ligier victory for both drivers.

Full of confidence from that result, the duo eyed further success in race two. Robinson kicked off proceedings by moving up from third to second through his stint, handing the car over to his team-mate within touching distance of the leader. Straight onto the front-running pace once he hit the track, McCaughan was quickly onto the tail of their rival.

A good run down the Wellington Straight allowed him to expertly dive into the race lead through Brooklands corner with 19 minutes left on the clock. The timing of the move proved to be pivotal, as less than three minutes later the heavens opened with a sudden torrential rain shower.

McCaughan, who races with the support of UtilityMapz, Owens Contracts Ltd, FSB Crushing & Demolition and ADM Group, adapted well to the conditions to stay safely on the tarmac before the safety car was brought out.

Ultimately the racing wouldn’t restart though, with the red flags coming out to bring the race to an early end. McCaughan had no complaints with that though, as he completed a dream double race victory in only his second-ever weekend in the Ligier European Series.

Brandon McCaughan: “Considering how long I’d been out of the car and the last-minute nature of this drive, only coming together three days before the event, to end up with my first two wins in prototype racing was incredible and I’m absolutely over the moon with how it went.

“It was great to be back with Team Virage and I felt right at home in the Ligier again. We built up our pace through practice and qualifying was brilliant. It felt fantastic to come away with pole position and I was determined to convert it into a big race result.

“The start of race one was good fun, with some enjoyable fights in the first few laps. I was glad I could settle things down though and control the race from the front. The #22 kept me honest and got close a couple of times while we lapped traffic, but I got us to the pitstop in the lead.

“We lost a bit of time in the pitlane, but Leo did a great job to get back to the front and bring home the win. He started race two strongly as well, and made sure I was in the fight for victory after the pitstop. I got the move done at the right time and while I would have liked to have raced to the finish, I’m more than happy to take the win behind the safety car.

“Thank you to Team Virage for giving us the fastest car this weekend, to Leo for his great work, and to my sponsors for making this all happen. It was a brilliant weekend and potentially a big one for my career. I feel like I’ve shown exactly what I’m capable of as a driver and I’m going to work flat out to maximise this success and turn it into a full drive in 2026.”

The Silverstone races can be watched back at any time on the Ligier European Series YouTube channel.

Images from DPPI Images / Ligier European Series.