Written by: Tom Long, professional racer, coach & development test driver
A couple weeks back, I had the opportunity to join Ligier during their most recent test day experience for current and potential competitors. Ligier’s new F4 open-wheel race car as well as their LMP3 platform—and everything in between—were on track at Carolina Motorsports Park. Prospective drivers were also able to meet existing teams and secure testing opportunities heading into next season.
I was offered a chance to jump in for a handful of laps in Ligier’s new JS F422 chassis, which features a V4 engine and a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. Of course, I said yes!
The JS F422 is Ligier’s latest offering for the aspiring open-wheel professional race car driver. F4 racing is a steppingstone to a career in the sport on the open-wheel path, and the new Ligier entry gives drivers a solid platform to work with. One of the main advantages of this platform is that, because the car is cost-capped, making the jump from karting into open-wheel racing is a much easier transition in terms of budget.
The new car is also safety-minded, satisfying all the latest FIA safety specifications, including the FIA-spec halo around the driver cockpit.
This is a very impressive upgrade from the previous Ligier F4 car, and it boasts many electronic advancements, as well as refinements for the driver and mechanic alike. There’s more adjustability in the car as well as a more efficient design.
Coincidentally, I drove the original F4 chassis at the same track almost ten years ago. It might have been the last time I drove an open-wheel car, for that matter! It was a lot of fun to put the JS F422 through its paces and to “have the wind in my hair” again, so to speak.
Immediately, I was impressed with how intuitive the car was, from both an operational standpoint—the layout and function of all the switches, buttons, and controls—as well as the driving feel, including the steering effort required and braking feel.
The increased power of the new V4 engine was certainly an upgrade, too, and the car packs a powerful punch for being an entry-level open-wheel race car. That engine has 180hp, and the car weighs in at just over 1100 lbs. That’s an outstanding power-to-weight ratio!
Overall, it was a ton of fun to drive the Ligier JS F422. It was easy to extract not just fast lap times, but consistency, too. I look forward to seeing it in competition during the season finale next weekend.
