Two cars finishing among the top three in the championship, multiple podium finishes and a spectacular double victory to close out the season: the 2026 Michelin Le Mans Cup proved to be a highly successful campaign for Rinaldi Racing. Competing with two Ligier JS P325 in the LMP3 Pro-Am category, the team from Mendig established itself as a regular front-runner throughout the season. Its consistent performances paid off, with car #66 securing second place in both the team and drivers’ standings, while car #71 claimed third in both championships.
Steve Parrow and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen shared driving duties in car #66, while Stefan Aust and Felipe Fernandez Laser formed the driver line-up in the sister car, #71. Throughout the six race events, both crews went head-to-head with the competition and played a key role in the team’s successful campaign.
Barcelona – Podium Finish to Kick Off the Season
Rinaldi Racing made a promising start to the season at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Both Ligier JS P325 showed strong pace from the opening race weekend, with car #71 making an early statement by securing a place on the front row in qualifying for the Pro-Am category.
The two-hour race developed into a close battle for the leading positions. Car #66, driven by Steve Parrow and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen, remained firmly in contention and eventually crossed the finish line in second place in the LMP3 Pro-Am class. Rinaldi Racing therefore opened its campaign with a podium finish, providing a solid foundation for the rounds ahead.
Le Castellet – Podium Finish Despite Technical Setback
The second round took the series to Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet. Following the strong result in Barcelona, Rinaldi Racing was aiming to build on that momentum and add further valuable points with both cars.
Car #71, driven by Stefan Aust and Felipe Fernandez Laser, initially looked particularly competitive. Stefan Aust fought his way to the front of the Pro-Am field and kept the car firmly in contention. However, a technical failure put an end to the team’s hopes of a top result. The Ligier was forced to return to the pits and retire from the race.
Car #66 continued to fly the Rinaldi Racing flag in the battle for the podium. Steve Parrow and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen delivered a consistent performance to secure third place in the LMP3 Pro-Am category. Despite the setback for the sister car, Rinaldi Racing once again came away with valuable championship points.
Road to Le Mans – Rinaldi Racing Fields Three Cars on the Big Stage
The “Road to Le Mans” race, held as part of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was once again a standout event on the 2026 calendar. At the legendary Circuit des 24 Heures, Rinaldi Racing fielded a total of three cars.
Alongside its two Ligier JS P325s in the LMP3 Pro-Am category, the team also entered an additional car in the LMP3 Pro class, driven by two Silver-rated drivers. This meant Rinaldi Racing was represented in two different categories at one of the most prestigious events on the endurance racing calendar.
The event also presented a different challenge from the regular championship rounds, with the race distance extended to three hours. On the demanding Le Mans circuit, success required more than outright speed: consistency, a well-executed strategy and flawless teamwork were equally important over the full race distance.
Fielding three cars gave Rinaldi Racing a valuable opportunity to showcase the team’s capabilities on one of the world’s most iconic racing circuits and take on a highly competitive international field.
Car #66 also delivered a strong performance, securing third place in the Pro-Am category.
Spa-Francorchamps – A Demanding Challenge in the Ardennes
Following the Le Mans event, Rinaldi Racing headed to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
The race was marked by several incidents and Safety Car periods, repeatedly reshaping the order and requiring teams to adapt their strategies. In the LMP3 Pro-Am category, car #71, driven by Stefan Aust and Felipe Fernandez Laser, delivered a strong performance to secure second place.
Silverstone – Rinaldi Racing Scores a One-Two Finish in Changeable Conditions
The fifth round of the season at Silverstone Circuit proved to be one of the highlights of the 2026 campaign for Rinaldi Racing. Changeable weather and the arrival of rain made tyre choice and pit-stop timing crucial to the outcome.
The team made the right calls at the right time, while both Ligier JS P325s delivered impressive performances at the front of the LMP3 Pro-Am field.
Steve Parrow and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen took the victory in car #66. Their teammates Stefan Aust and Felipe Fernandez Laser followed closely behind in car #71, crossing the finish line just 1.2 seconds later.
The result gave Rinaldi Racing a superb one-two finish. Both driver line-ups had delivered excellent performances in challenging conditions, securing a major result for the team and a valuable boost to its championship ambitions.
Portimão – Another One-Two Finish to Round Off the Season
For the sixth and final round at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Rinaldi Racing was determined to carry its Silverstone momentum into the season finale. Both crews were also looking to make the most of their strong positions in the championship standings.
Qualifying confirmed the pace of both Ligiers. Car #71, driven by Stefan Aust and Felipe Fernandez Laser, secured fourth place in the LMP3 Pro-Am category. Car #66, with Steve Parrow and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen, was also well placed to challenge for a strong result.
The race developed into an intense battle for the leading positions. Car #71 steadily worked its way forward before taking the lead in the Pro-Am category. Stefan Aust and Felipe Fernandez Laser held on to the advantage to secure victory in the season finale.
Car #66 completed a perfect result for Rinaldi Racing. Steve Parrow and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen crossed the finish line just 2.6 seconds behind their teammates to take second place.
Rinaldi Racing had therefore repeated its Silverstone success, securing a second consecutive one-two finish. It was the first victory of the season for car #71, while car #66 celebrated its second win of the year. It was a fitting end to an outstanding campaign.
Two Cars Among the Top Three in the Championship
The final standings underline Rinaldi Racing’s consistency and competitiveness throughout the season. The final two rounds at Silverstone and Portimão were particularly impressive, with both cars regularly fighting at the front. Four podium finishes across the two events, including back-to-back one-two results, provided a spectacular finale to the campaign.
In the final LMP3 Pro-Am team standings, car #66, driven by Steve Parrow and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen, finished second with 113 points. The two drivers also secured runner-up honours in the drivers’ championship.
Car #71, with Stefan Aust and Felipe Fernandez Laser, finished third in both the team and drivers’ standings with 91 points. Rinaldi Racing thus placed both of its entries among the top three in the championship – a clear testament to the strength and depth of the entire team.
These results were built on the commitment and hard work of a close-knit crew, with every race weekend bringing its own challenges. Technical preparation, car set-up, strategic decisions and precise pit stops all played an essential role, alongside the performances of the four drivers.
With second and third place in the LMP3 Pro-Am standings, Rinaldi Racing can look back on an excellent 2026 Michelin Le Mans Cup campaign. The two consecutive one-two finishes at Silverstone and Portimão will undoubtedly stand out as the season’s defining moments. They were a fitting reward for a team that consistently demonstrated its ability to compete at the front with both cars.
