The Ligier-Mygale merger: How will this takeover affect grassroots formula?

Written by Lorenzo Baer, Edited by Dhara Dave

Ligier’s headquarters in Abrest. The unit is strategically located between two great meccas of French motorsport, the Magny-Cours and Charade circuits | Credit: Ligier Automotive

With the gradual disappearance of the Mygale name in favour of the renowned Ligier brand, what should we expect for the future of the company that will become the second-largest producer of low-level formula chassis in the world? In an exclusive interview for DIVEBOMB Magazine, Jacques Nicolet, current president of Ligier Automotive, highlights the group's objectives for the 2025-26 biennium.

A gradual transition

One of the big news in the low-formula categories in the first months of 2025 was undoubtedly, the surprising final takeover of Mygale SARL, one of the main Formula 4 chassis manufacturers, by Ligier Automotive, one of its immediate rivals in the same segment.

Although both companies have worked symbiotically since 2013, when Ligier became a minor shareholder of Mygale’s assets (as a way of gaining a more consolidated foothold in the grass-roots formula segment), both continued to coexist separately, committing themselves to a process of industrial collaboration.

However, the 2013 agreement also guaranteed that the operations of both companies would gradually be unified, as a way of rationalising costs and ensuring a stronger presence in the vehicle and chassis construction segment. The slow and gradual unification process lasted for more than ten years, being officially concluded at the end of January 2025.

For the administration of the new conglomerate, Jacques Nicolet, current president of Ligier Automotive, will continue to hold the position, with Bertrand Decoster, founder and former president of Mygale, as the director of operations for the group.

For Nicolet, “the merger between Ligier Automotive and Mygale is a natural step in our company’s evolution. Ligier has always been about innovation and high performance in motorsport, from Formula One to endurance racing. By bringing Mygale under the Ligier banner, we strengthen our presence in single-seater racing and reinforce our role in developing future generations of drivers”. 

Even though Ligier guarantees there will be no problems during this transition period, many customers currently using Mygale chassis wonder what their relationship with Ligier will be like now, as the company progressively absorbs Mygale's remaining operations.

Impacts of the merger in the upcoming seasons

Bertrand Decoster (left) and Jacques Nicolet (right) will be the main figures guiding the Ligier Group into this new phase of the company | Credit: Ligier Automobile

According to the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), three national 2025 Formula 4 championships have already been sanctioned to use Mygale's GEN2 (M21-F4) chassis: the tournaments in China, France and India.

Furthermore, other championships, such as the Australian F4, will also use products from the French brand, with the older GEN1 models (M14-F4) making a reappearance in the category. 

Certainly, the news of Ligier's acquisition of Mygale caused some discomfort in the promoters of F4 tournaments that use the products of the Magny-Cours-based manufacturer, which have now found themselves deprived of their main chassis supplier. 

However, when asked about this issue, Jacques Nicolet made it clear that even with the gradual disappearance of Mygale, continuity is the key to providing support to the group's customers: “The Mygale structure will remain and be rebranded to bear the Ligier brand. Mygale’s existing customers will continue to receive full support for spare parts, components, and technical assistance throughout the 2025 season and beyond.” 

He also highlighted that “this transition has been carefully planned, and we are in direct communication with championship organisers and teams to ensure a seamless experience. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible while preparing for the future under the Ligier brand.”

Asked about the importance of this acquisition, Nicolet made it clear that this is part of a joint process: “This acquisition certainly positions Ligier as a stronger player in the F4 market. Mygale has been a key supplier in multiple FIA ​​F4 championships, and integrating this expertise into Ligier Automotive will allow us to expand our presence globally. We are prepared to meet the increased demand and ensure that our production, logistics, and customer support are aligned with this growth”.

However, the Ligier president highlights that, although the union between the two companies is yet to be concluded in 2025, the first major changes in the new Ligier group structure are yet to be felt at the start of the 2026 season.

The first point addressed was the renewal of Mygale's partnerships, which Ligier inherited due to the merger: “Discussions are already underway with the organizers of the F4 championships in France, India, and China. We are working closely with them to ensure a smooth transition from the Mygale to the Ligier brand in 2026”.

He adds, “Our goal is to strengthen the existing relationships by using Ligier’s brand and experience in motorsport.”

Another point was a small insight into the first product produced by the new joint Ligier/Mygale group: “Ligier Automotive has been a minority shareholder of Mygale for the past ten years and the two companies already had opportunities to work together. Both companies had already started to work on the next generation of F. Regional. With this acquisition, we have leveraged the strength, experience and know-how of both companies to develop together, this new Ligier Formula Regional.”

Concluding, Nicolet reflects on the importance of this union between the two companies, with Ligier aiming to have a stronger presence in these increasingly competitive motorsports market segments: “This move is in line with our ambition: to be a key player in motorsport, from entry-level series to the highest levels of competition.”

A brief summary of Ligier and Mygale

Mygale was a company that ventured into several categories of low-level formulas throughout its existence - including a failed attempt at the F. Regional | Credit: Mygale SARL

Ligier Automotive was founded in 1968, by ex-pilot and businessman Guy Ligier. Even though the company launched its first car in 1971, it was only with the birth of Équipe Ligier that the enterprise gained international renown.

Over the years, as company's day-by-day civilian vehicle market began to lose momentum, the racing car manufacturing department saw a jump in its production. It's no wonder that, in addition to victories in F1, Ligier collected successes in the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans, plus a dozen more international events.

Currently, Ligier offers a wide range of products, from sports prototypes to single-seaters and also GTs, brilliantly meeting its client demands. Currently, the company is the main supplier of the FIA F4 US championship, with its brand-new JS F422 model.

Since 1989, Mygale has built a strong reputation in motorsports, especially in the single-seater open-wheeler segment. The company has developed cars for major automotive projects and enterprises, including Formula BMW, Formula Ford, Formula 3, USF2000, FF200, Formula 4 and Formula Regional.

The constructor has played a key role in the early careers of numerous top drivers, including Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, Nico Hülkenberg, Lando Norris, Colton Herta and Simon Pagenaud.

As a major partner in the FIA's single-seater development ladder, Mygale has supplied over 400 F4 and F. Regional cars worldwide throughout its history.