Dominique Bastien, the oldest ever starter of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is set to make his prototype racing debut this year in Prototype Cup Europe.
The 80-year-old will share Team Virage’s #74 Ligier JS P325 – Toyota LMP3 with Theo Micouris in the four-round sprint series.
Bastien became the oldest competitor in 24 Hours of Le Mans history when he competed in 2020, at the age of 74, with Proton Competition in LMGTE Am. The American driver then returned to the race the following year, again with Proton in GTE Am, and finished 13th in class.
Since then, Bastien has remained active in one-make Porsche competition, and last year tested a Proton-run ORECA 07 – Gibson LMP2 during the European Le Mans Series Rookie Test, an experience he kindly recounted for DSC.
He is now progressing to racing a prototype for the first time, with an assault on the new-for-2026 Prototype Cup Europe, which is a relaunch of Prototype Cup Germany.
“I am thrilled,” Bastien said. “For a whole new racing experience, for doing it with a class operation like Team Virage, and for renewing a wonderful 11-year relationship with Creventic.”
His co-driver, 2024 Ligier European Series champion Micouris, is no stranger to the JS P325, having raced the car for Virage in last year’s Michelin Le Mans Cup. The 19-year-old scored a pair of podium finishes, including at the 24 Hours of Le Mans-supporting Road to Le Mans event.
The 2026 Prototype Cup Europe season begins at Mugello, Italy, on 20th to 22nd March 2026.
Image courtesy of Le Mans Cup
