Promising JSP4 debut for Cindy Gudet with P6 overall and two ProAm wins at Ligier European Series opener
- RACERS
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
Cindy Gudet made an encouraging step up to the JSP4 prototype class in the 2026 Ligier European Series season opener at Barcelona, securing a best result of sixth place overall while twice topping the ProAm class.
Cindy Gudet made an encouraging step up to the JSP4 prototype class in the 2026 Ligier European Series season opener at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, securing a best result of sixth place in the overall JSP4 category alongside teammate August Therbo after a weekend that showed strong pace and twice topping the ProAm class.
Competing with M Racing, Gudet and Therbo transitioned from the JS2R class into the more demanding JSP4 prototype category, immediately demonstrating competitive speed in a 14-car field.
Gudet’s move to JSP4 marks another important step in a rapidly evolving circuit racing career. After transitioning from hillclimb competitions, the French racer has built experience across multiple categories, including the FFSA GT Championship, where she races a Toyota Supra GT4, and prototypes in the Ultimate Cup Series.
Her growing familiarity with prototype machinery was evident throughout the Barcelona weekend, as she and Therbo quickly adapted to the increased performance and complexity of the JSP4 cars.
The #57 M Racing entry showed immediate promise in practice, finishing third in the opening session with a 1:45.599, less than a second off the outright pace, before ending seventh in FP2 while consistently leading the Pro-Am class.
In qualifying, Therbo delivered an excellent performance in Q1, securing second place overall with a 1:45.207, narrowly missing pole position by just two tenths. Gudet followed with a solid effort in Q2, setting a 1:46.214 to qualify eighth overall, showcasing her rapid adaptation.
Therbo started the first race from the front row and initially held second place, but a heavily disrupted opening stint defined by multiple safety cars and full course yellow periods prevented him from building rhythm.
After losing second position on a restart, Therbo remained in contention near the front before pitting from third place as the window opened. Gudet took over and produced a strong out lap, rejoining fifth overall and leading the Pro-Am class after the pit cycle.
However, further interruptions, including another safety car, kept the race fragmented. Gudet initially held her ground under pressure before being overtaken, and her race was further compromised by a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
Dropping to 11th as a result, she pushed to recover positions but ran out of time, ultimately finishing 11th overall while still securing the top spot in the Pro-Am class, in an unfortunate outcome given the car’s earlier pace.
In the second race, Gudet started eighth but was forced to take evasive action during a hectic opening lap, dropping a position to avoid incidents, including a crash in the JS2R class that brought out the safety car.
Showing strong racecraft, she navigated the chaotic early stages and engaged in close battles, notably with Ellis, trading positions while maintaining competitive lap times against a field featuring several drivers with single-seater backgrounds.
Multiple safety car periods again interrupted the race, but also offered opportunities as gaps were neutralised. Gudet remained consistent and brought the car into the pit window in 12th place before handing over to Therbo.
Therbo then delivered an aggressive and impressive second stint, immediately fighting in a tight pack and executing decisive overtakes, most notably a bold move at Turn 4 to clear two rivals in one sequence. After intense battles, including wheel-to-wheel action through the hairpin and four-wide moments, he climbed up to sixth place by the end of the pit cycle.
From there, Therbo maintained strong and consistent pace, pulling clear of those behind while managing the gap to the cars ahead. He ultimately secured sixth place in JSP4 and leader in ProAm, marking a well-earned result for the duo.
Despite misfortune in the opening race, Gudet’s debut weekend in JSP4 machinery demonstrated clear potential, with strong pace, improving confidence, and competitive racecraft against an experienced and diverse field.
The sixth-place finish in Race 2 provides a solid foundation for the season ahead, as Gudet continues to build experience in prototypes alongside her parallel GT commitments.
The championship now heads to Circuit Paul Ricard on 1–2 May for the second round, marking a home event for Gudet, where she will aim to build on the promising performance shown in Barcelona.
