Record breaking 62 car grid for Le Mans: High Class Racing and United Autosports receive extra invite

The 87th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the finale of the FIA World Endurance Championship will have a record breaking grid of 62 cars on June 15th.  The Automobile Club de l’guest announced the expansion of the grid today, and confirmed High Class Racing and United Autosports as the 2 extra invitees for the 24 hour race. 

To accommodate the extra cars, the pitlane will be extended with 2 temporary garages. They will be set up next to the first ones, towards the entrance of pit lane, inbetween the module sportif (tower) and the first 2 pitboxes (which were used by Toyota in the past years). Work on extending the pitlane began several weeks ago, in time for the test day on June 2nd. 

The 13.626-kilometre track will therefore welcome a record 62 competitors on 15 June. Since 2016, a maximum of 60 garages accommodated the teams. 

Pierre Fillion, President of the ACO said: “In February, the selection committee faced a harder task than it has in many years. There were 75 applications – all of a high standard – and it was particularly difficult to choose 60, only 60 of them should I say. We quickly came to the conclusion that we had to find a way of accepting additional competitors, and our crews confirmed the feasibility of adding two garages to pit lane. We knuckled down and are overjoyed to be able to accept 62 entrants for the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a record number and a sign that this race is as popular as ever.”

For High Class Racing, this will be their first appearance at Le Mans, after missing out an invite in the past 2 years. The Danish team is now in its third year in the European Le Mans Series, and switched from the Dallara P217 to the Oreca 07 this session.  Anders Fjordbach and Dennis Andersen will drive the car with the third driver still to be announced. 

“It’s a huge surprise to be granted an entry to the 2019 running of the Le Mans 24 Hours,” said Anders Fjordbach, who was a reserve driver for SMP Racing the past two years at Le Mans. While it was originally disappointing to be turned down for a second year running when the first list came out, we understood the ACO’s decision and remained patient, expecting to have a greater chance in 2020."

“However, this new plan by the ACO has given us the chance to make our debut in the race this year, and race as part of a record-breaking 62-car entry at the event with our new ORECA 07 Gibson. Although there isn’t much time to plan our trip to France in June, we will be working extremely hard over the coming weeks to ensure we are ready and have the best chance of scoring a strong result in our first attempt. It’s been a dream for us, long-term, to race as a Danish team at the Le Mans 24 Hours, and add to our country’s ever-growing heritage at the race. We thank the ACO for its support in this process and can’t wait to hit the track at Le Mans in two months time.”

United Autosports wasn’t too happy after the release of the initial entry list for this year’s Le Mans.  Despite the teams’ wlarge involvement in the ELMS, Michelin Le Mans Cup and Asian Le Mans Series, only the auto invite they received by winning the Asian Le Mans Series was granted to the American team.  With the addition of two extra entries, United Autosports now gained a second invite in the LMP2 class.

ELMS regulars Ryan Cullen and Alex Brundle will be joined by a third driver who is still to be confirmed. They will join Phil Hanson, Filipe Albuquerque and Paul Di Resta as part of the team’s two driver line ups. Alex Brundle has raced at Le Mans five times, finishing on the podium in both 2013 and 2017, while this year marks Ryan Cullen’s Le Mans 24 Hours debut. 

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports said: “I’m really pleased United have been given a second entry into the Le Mans 24 Hours. It’s the greatest race in the world and to have a two-car entry for the second year running is fantastic.”

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports: “The ACO have worked hard to make this happen and we are very pleased for United to have both our Ligier JS P217s in the race. Hopefully we can get another great result like we did last year – or even go two spots better.”

5 teams remain on the reserve list for the 24 Hours: 

- Eurasia Motorsport - Ligier JSP217 (LMP2)

- Panis Barthez Competition - Ligier JSP217 (LMP2)

- IDEC Sport - Ligier JSP217 (LMP2)

- Team Project 1 - Porsche 911 RSR (LMGTE AM)

- TF Sport - Aston Martin Vantage (LMGTE Am)

The new, updated entry list can be downloaded here

Kristof Vermeulen. 

ELMS: Pre-season news round-up

In just over a weeks time, the European Le Mans Series kick off the 2019 season at Le Castellet in the south of France.  With two testdays on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th of April and the 4 Hours of Le Castellet in the following weekend, the start of what promises to be another great season is arriving quickly now.

Time for a news round-up with new and returning drivers, a few new teams on the entry lists and some new liveries for the upcoming season. 

Owen completes United Autosports line-ups in LMP2

United Autosports completed their LMP2 and LMP3 driving roster for the European Le Mans Series with the return of Will Owen to the team. Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque will race the #22 Ligier JS P217, with Will Owen, Alex Brundle and Ryan Cullen racing the #32. 2016 ELMS Champions Mike Guasch and Christian England will return to the LMP3 team in the #3 Ligier JS P3, while Tommy Erdos makes a return to racing, alongside Garett Grist and Wayne Boyd in the #2 Ligier JS P3.

© United Autosports

The American racer returns to United Autosports for his third season, racing alongside Alex Brundle and Ryan Cullen in a Ligier JS P217. Will first joined the team in 2017 as they made their LMP2 debut in the European series. After scoring two wins and three podiums Will, along with Hugo de Sadeleer and Filipe Albuquerque, finished second in the championship. Will also made his Le Mans 24 Hours debut the same year, finishing fourth in the LMP2 class. In 2018, Will raced once again for United Autosports in the ELMS and at Le Mans. After a difficult start to their 2018 ELMS campaign, he finished the season on a high with a podium at the final round. He was also part of United Autosports’ 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours podium finishing team, racing alongside Hugo de Sadeleer and former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

Will Owen’s 2019 ELMS programme with United Autosports will run alongside his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship duties with Juncos Racing, where he has already raced at the Rolex 24 At Daytona – a race he contested with United Autosports in 2018 – and the Sebring 12 Hours. Due to Will’s IMSA racing commitments, he will be unable to race at the opening ELMS round at Paul Ricard.

Roussel returns to ELMS with Inter Europol Competition

Inter Europol Competition completed their line-up for its debut in LMP2 in the European Le Mans Series and Le Mans.  Jakub Smiechowksi will be joined by Léo Roussel and Dani Clos in the Ligier JSP2.  For Roussel, who won the ELMS championship in 2017, it’s a return to racing in almost a year after being sidelined for 8 months due to the failure of the Manor/Ginetta project in LMP1.  30 year old Spanish driver Dani Clos has raced in Formula Renault to GP2, and was test driver for Williams in 2008 and HRT in 2012

© Inter Europol Competition

Léo Roussel: “I’m very happy to join the team and come back in ELMS after eight months without driving. I had a warm welcome at Barcelona from all of the team and I would like to say thanks to Kuba (Smiechowski) and the whole team for the opportunity they give me. I’m very hungry to start this new adventure.”

Dani Clos: "I'm really happy to be part of this team. Everything went really quick and I'd like to thank the team to make me part of this exciting project. I needed an opportunity like this to show what I can do and they trusted me to include me in their new LMP2 program.”

Sascha Fassbender (team manager): “We are pleased to have Léo with us this year. It’s a pleasure to work with such a professional and generous driver. And his knowledge of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will make a big difference in our understanding of this race.  With Dani, Kuba and Léo, we have put together a strong team, which should be good for a couple of surprises, even if it is our first season in the LMP2. We are looking forward to the kick-off of the season at Paul Ricard.”

The driver line-ups for the LMP3 cars will be announced ahead of the Test days at Paul Ricard in just over a weeks time. 

New season, new livery for IDEC Sport

IDEC Sport presented the new livery for both their Ligier JSP217 and Oreca 07 in the European Le Mans Series. 

A first successful pre-season test at Barcelona saw the team getting up to 1700 kms of testing over 4 days, with all drivers present: Paul Lafargue, Paul-Loup Chatin and Memo Rojas in the #28 Oreca and Patrice Lafargue, Eric Maris and Stéphane Adler in the #27 Ligier. 

Racing 1700 kilometers on a race track is quite something. The cars and all the parts were put under pressure, including the tyres. “We tried out various types of Michelin tyre and they all perform well. Over the four days we went through more than twenty sets of tyres. That allowed us to train for the pit-stops, even if part of the team was in Sebring (for the WEC). We’ll really test things when in race mode for the prologue,” explained Fred Ducastel before concluding: “The most important thing is that the cars showed that they were reliable. But there was one other thing that was important. The Ligier proved herself to be competitive against the Oreca.”

New driver line-up for JMW Motorsport 

JMW Motorsport brings a seasoned trio of drivers to the European Le Mans Series with Matteo Cressoni (ITA), Wei Lu (CAN) and Jeff Segal (USA), teaming up with Ferrari of Vancouver. All three drivers boast enviable experience with Ferrari and notably the Ferrari 488.

© Bob Ten Kley for Club Arnage


This line up reunites Wei Lu and Jeff Segal who raced the Ferrari 488 GT3 in 2018 in the Pirelli World Challenge Sprint-X Championship, which marked the move into the professional racing scene for Lu after making his mark from 2013, culminating in no less than five victories and seven poles on his way to second in the 2017 Ferrari Challenge. For Segal, whose 15 years of experience include such highlights as winning the 2016 Le Mans 24Hrs LM GTE-AM class, 2016 12Hrs of Sebring GTD and the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona GTD, 2018 further embedded his fervour for being behind the wheel of a Ferrari 488 GT3. Matteo Cressoni has also been under the spell of the Ferrari 488 GT3 having raced the model in a wide range of endurance events and series since 2016 including impressive 2nd places in the 2016 24Hrs of Spa and 2017 12hrs of Sebring.


Jim McWhirter, JMW Motorsport Team Principal:
“We are really looking forward to the 2019 ELMS Championship with a renewed vigour after missing out in 2018. We have a new exciting driver line up who all have Ferrari experience in a variety of competitive championships. Jeff Segal who we worked with at Le Mans 2018 and the Spa test brings a wealth of committed competitive experience to the Team.  Matteo Cressoni who is a well-respected peddler with a strong Ferrari heritage will be a real asset to the Team. Wei Lu who we met at the Spa 2018 test is also really committed to the programme – starting on a new adventure with great ambition and enthusiasm. 

Realteam Racing unveils livery

A new addition to the LMP3 grid of the ELMS is Swiss Realteam Racing. With support from Graff Racing, the team fields a Norma M30 with a Swiss driver line-up by Esteban Garcia and David Droux. 

Luzich Racing Ferrari with Alessandro Pier Guidi

Luzich Racing announced their full-season campaign for the 2019 European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup earlier this week.  The American team, owned by Michael Luzich, will compete in both championships with Ferrari on the hunt for new titles following the Mikkel Mac’s victory in the 2018 International GT Open. FIA WEC champion Alessandro Pier Guidi will lead the team’s Ferrari F488 GTE in the European Le Mans Series, together with Niklas Nielsen (Ferrari Challenge World Champion in 2018) and Fabien Lavergne. 

© Luzich Racing

The team will also have a Ferrari 488 GT3 in the Michelin Le Mans Cup.  Mikkel Mac, race winner in the ELMS with Formula Racing, continues his racing career with Luzich Racing after winning the 2018 GT-Open drivers title.  He will be joined by Fabien Lavergne, who will race in both the ELMS and MLMC this season. 

2 cars and new drivers for 360 Racing

British team 360 Racing will field a two car line-up for the first time in the European Le Mans Series.  The #6 Ligier JSP3 will be driven by team regulars Ross Kaiser and Terrence Woodward, who will be joined by Canadian racer James “Jimbo” Dayson.  Dayson raced with Eurointernational in the series last season. 

The second Ligier will be carrying #5 and is driven by John Corbett, Andreas Laskaratos and professional driver James Winslow.

Racing manager, Mark Owen, said: “I’m super excited about this year’s line-up. It’s great to fill two cars in the ELMS as it’s something we’ve been aspiring to for a while. We have two great driver line-ups and we’re aiming to be at the front end of the grid for 2019.”

Panis Barthez Compétition switches to Dunlop with new livery. 

Led by Olivier Panis, Sarah, and Simon Abadie, Panis-Barthez Competition has signed an agreement with Dunlop with immediate effect. The British manufacturer, the most successful in the 24 Hours of Le Mans history, will supply tyres to the two Ligier JS P217 LMP2 prototypes engaged in ELMS and to the one to be run for the 87th edition of Le Mans.

Olivier Panis - Panis-Barthez Competition Team Principal: "We are delighted to start this new partnership with Dunlop. It’s a new challenge we will undertake together. Their great experience and many successes at the highest level of endurance will motivate and guide our team towards new directions.  We would like to thank Michelin for their dedication to us in the past three seasons. By our joint work we have achieved many great performances. We are very grateful to all of them.

Florent Gouin - Panis-Barthez Competition Head of Engineering: "This alliance with Dunlop will allow us to take another step forward. Synergy between tyres and chassis will be strengthened as the degradation becomes a major challenge regarding new ELMS regulations.

Mathias KIPP - Dunlop Motorsport Manager EMEA: “It’s a real pleasure to have signed a partnership with Panis-Barthez Competition in the LMP2 category in ELMS and le Mans 24H going forward. The team has always demonstrated since their arrival in ELMS in 2016 how fast and professional they are and adding a Ligier chassis back in to our pool for development will be perfect.

Panis-Barthez competition also showed a new livery on the Ligier JSP217 during a private test at Magny Cours last week.  No more red/black colours on both cars, but a more lively look this season with blue, white and red. 

Kristof Vermeulen.

ELMS: Alex Brundle and Ryan Cullen to race for United Autosports in 2019

United Autosports has confirmed that Alex Brundle and Ryan Cullen will join their LMP2 team for the 2019 European Le Mans Series and pending entry confirmation, the Le Mans 24 Hours.

© United Autosports

Alex Brundle first raced for the team in 2016 when they made their European Le Mans Series debut. After scoring three wins and two further podiums, Alex was crowned 2016 ELMS LMP3 Champion alongside other LMP3 team returnees Mike Guasch and Christian England. Alex also joined the team for their Sebring 12 Hours debut last year, standing in for Bruno Senna and finishing fifth in the Ligier JS P217 with Phil Hanson and Paul Di Resta.

Ryan Cullen is new to the team but has previously tested a Ligier JS P217 prior to joining them. Last year he raced in the European Le Mans Series for the APR – Rebellion Racing team and has previously raced in the Porsche Supercup and the GP3 Series. Most recently Ryan won the LMP2 class of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Cullen has already totalled four days of testing with United Autosports, most recently attending their Barcelona pre-season test last week alongside Filipe Albuquerque and Phil Hanson. 

© United Autosports

Ryan Cullen, driver, United Autosports:

“I’m delighted to be joining United Autosports for 2019. It’s a team with great structure and experience and the perfect place for me to grow and be competitive in ELMS.  So far everybody has been superb and very welcoming and I’m looking forward to having Alex as a teammate. Le Mans also excites me and pending an entry of course, this year will be my first time racing at Le Mans. After experiencing success last month at Daytona, the prospect of being with a front running team in my second 24-hour race is a fantastic position to be in.”

Alex Brundle, driver, United Autosports:

“I’m very excited and motivated to be racing with United Autosports in LMP2 for 2019, re-joining the team who took me to the championship title in LMP3. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of a Ligier once more, representing a world-class outfit and my longstanding sponsors and friends at Richard Mille.”

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports:

“Alex and Ryan will be a good combination for our LMP2 team. They are both quick and experienced drivers in the ELMS and in the LMP2 class. The competition looks set to be higher than ever in the ELMS this year but I think we have two good line ups so far. Just one more seat left to fill.”

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:

“Alex is no stranger to the team and it is good to welcome him back for the 2019 season. He is a previous champion of ours so hopefully he can replicate his season in 2016 once again. Ryan has impressed us in the four days testing he has done with us so far so I am hopeful of good things from him throughout the season. I think him and Alex will make a good line up with their third as yet undecided team mate.”

ELMS: Mike Guash and Christian England back at United Autosports in LMP3

United Autosports announced that Mike Guasch and Christian England will return to the team for the 2019 European Le Mans Series. The 2016 ELMS LMP3 Champions will be back at the team for their second shot at the LMP3 title. Mike and Christian were partnered with Alex Brundle when United Autosports made their ELMS debut in 2016, winning the first three races of the season and scoring a podium at five of the six rounds giving them the championship win with one round remaining. 

© United Autosports

American racer, Mike Guasch has spent two years away from racing in Europe, while Christian spent a second year in the ELMS in 2017, before moving to the Michelin Le Mans Cup in 2018. Christian also raced in the second round of the Asian Le Mans Series in Japan in December, filling in for Jim McGuire, where the team scored their first LMP3 win of the championship. 

Mike and Christian’s return coincides with the world-wide launch of the movie “The Gentleman Driver” featuring Mike and three other gentleman drivers and their journey through the ELMS, World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours. Mike’s story specifically focuses on his ELMS Championship winning year with United Autosports. “The Gentleman Driver” is available worldwide from tomorrow on digital download here: www.thegentlemandrivermovie.com. 

Mike Guasch, driver, United Autosports:

“I’m very excited to come back to United Autosports. Since I left at the end of 2016 I have raced in LMP2 at Daytona and Sebring but then for one reason or another it didn’t work out so I moved on and focussed on my business. In 2018 I kept up with racing by doing a lot of karting, just to stay in shape and sharpen my skills and to prepare for 2019. I have wanted to come back to United for a while and the perfect deal came about and Richard and I were able to make it happen, so I’m very excited. I’ve stayed in contact with Christian over the last two years and we have been saying we would do something together again in the future so I was really pleased to be able to call him and tell him we were going racing again with United. Let’s go win some races.”

Christian England, driver, United Autosports:

“To say I’m excited would be a complete understatement. After calling in the workshop for what was just supposed to be a coffee and a catch up back at the beginning of 2016, here I am. Four ELMS wins, one Asian Le Mans Series win, two LMP3 Cup wins, numerous podiums and of course one ELMS championship later, I can’t quite believe we are about to start our fourth season together. It's been special to be part of the United family over these last few seasons but this year definitely feels like the best yet. I can’t wait to get started working with Mike again. We had such a great friendship back in 2016 and of course winning the championship in our debut season was something very special. The competition is extremely strong in ELMS but one thing I do know is that our motivation is very high. We the drivers and United as a team are relentless and undeterred in our will to win. I personally feel like I’ve waited a lifetime to be back in this position again so a massive thanks to Richard, Zak and all involved for the continued support and for believing I’m worthy of a seat.” 

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:

“I’ve kept in touch with Mike since he last raced for us and always hoped he would return, so I’m thrilled we have managed to pull this deal together for him to race with Christian once again. The ELMS grid has changed a lot since we won our first championship in 2016, the competition is so strong, but I think we have a good shot of being in the hunt from the off. Getting the LMP3 Championship back is definitely our aim.”

FIA WEC: United Autosports with Ligier in the 2019/2020 WEC season

United Autosports have confirmed that they will enter the 2019/2020 FIA World Endurance Championship. The Anglo American team will enter the world-wide race series for the first time with Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque behind the wheel of the team’s Ligier JS P217. 

Phil Hanson joined the team at the end of 2017 and has raced in the 2018 European Le Mans Series alongside Filipe Albuquerque, winning the final two races of the year. Phil also raced in selected rounds of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Daytona, Sebring and Watkins Glen. He is currently racing for United Autosports in the Asian Le Mans Series and scored his maiden pole position at Fuji in only his second LMP2 qualifying attempt. Phil is leading the championship with two rounds to go. 

Filipe Albuquerque joined the team for their LMP2 debut at the start of 2017, finishing second in the championship. This year, he raced alongside Phil Hanson in the #22 Ligier JS P217. Filipe has previously raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2016 finishing second in the championship.

United Autosports will be strengthening their relationship with Ligier Automotive by fielding a Ligier JS P217 in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The relationship with the French manufacturer began in 2016 as they entered the European Le Mans Series with a pair of Ligier JS P3s. Since then, the UK based team have become exclusive UK agents for Ligier Automotive and expanded into the LMP2 class with the new generation of Ligier LMP2 sports car – the Ligier JS P217. Further cementing their relationship with Ligier, they also chose to race the first generation Ligier LMP2 car in the 2018/2019 Asian Le Mans Series, as well as remaining committed to the French manufacturer during their debut IMSA season in 2018.

© United Autosports

Phil Hanson, driver, United Autosports: “I’m really excited to be doing FIA WEC. I think it’s the obvious next step for us, having done the ELMS, Asian Le Mans Series and selected rounds of IMSA, including Daytona. I’m looking forward to continuing with United too. They have nurtured me and helped my development as a driver significantly in the last year so I’m looking forward to continuing with the team in a very professional environment. I’m excited to be driving on new circuits too such as Sao Paulo and Bahrain. They have definitely been on my radar of circuits I’ve wanted to race at. Sao Paulo has a lot of history and I’ve never been to Brazil so it will be exciting. I’m really looking forward to racing on a truly global platform.”

Filipe Albuquerque, driver, United Autosports: “I’m super happy to be back in the FIA WEC, I feel I have unfinished business there. I finished P2 in 2016 in LMP2 so now with Phil Hanson and United I think we really have the package to win. It’s two years almost to the day that I met Zak and Richard and I could never believe our partnership would have got to this point. I’m excited to be racing in the 2019 ELMS and then going into the FIA WEC with them. It’s a good relationship we have together and we have been winning some races so why not continue and let’s see where we end up.”

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports: “We are pleased to be able to announce our entry into the 2019/2020 FIA World Endurance Championship. It has been the aim for United Autosports to enter the world championship for a while, but everything needed to fall into place so we could do it at the right time. We feel that now is the right time. We have developed a great relationship with Phil and Filipe and they make a fantastic pairing. We are still working on the third driver but for now, we are excited for what 2019 brings.”

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports: “It’s been no secret that we have been trying to put a deal together to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship for some time now. It has relied on a lot of factors fitting together but I think it is the perfect time for United Autosports to make the next step in sports car racing. We have two great drivers in Phil and Filipe. Filipe really has brought Phil on in only one year of working with him, so I’m confident that will only continue into the coming years. We have ultimate belief in Ligier Automotive and relish this opportunity to take on a world championship with their full support. The championship visits some fantastic circuits too – some we have been to before and some will be new to us, but I’m looking forward to the new challenge ahead.”

Gérard Neveu, CEO WEC: “This is a very good way to start 2019. We are really delighted to welcome a team of the calibre of United Autosports to the WEC, and are confident they will make a very positive contribution to the LMP2 category and to the championship as a whole. We know the team well from the European Le Mans Series and of course at Le Mans, and it’s very rewarding to see the progression they have made – and success they have attained – over the past few years. I am certain the whole WEC paddock will join me in welcoming United Autosports for the 2019-20 season.”

Le Mans: Paul Di Resta makes Le Mans debut with United Autosports

Another big name joins United Autosports at Le Mans this june, the American team have confirmed Paul Di Resta will join their team in 2018.  The former F1 driver and DTM Champion will make his debut in the world famous 24-hour race in the team’s Ligier JS P217 alongside Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque. 

© United Autosports

Paul will race the same car in which he made his sports car debut with United Autosports at Daytona earlier this year, where he finished fourth alongside Will Owen, Hugo de Sadeleer and Bruno Senna. Since then, Paul has raced for the team in the Sebring 12 Hours, finishing fifth with Alex Brundle and Phil Hanson. Paul has been part of the United Autosports US driver line up as they race in the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup, with the Six Hours of Watkins Glen being the next round, held two weeks after the Le Mans 24 Hours.

United Autosports have had two Le Mans 24 Hours entries confirmed and will also be entering a Ligier JS P217 for Will Owen, Hugo de Sadeleer and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Paul Di Resta, driver, United Autosports:

“It’s exciting news to be continuing the partnership with everyone at United and undertaking the Le Mans 24 Hours. It’s a race I’ve always looked at closely and now I’m getting the chance at the right time to have a go. It will be good to race alongside Phil again after the Sebring 12 Hours, which was a success and I’m excited to see how partnering Filipe goes. I’ve known him a long time and he is a credit to endurance racing. The task is to go and win and from what I’ve been told, that’s not too ambitious. We will do the best job possible to aim for that in the race.”

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports:

“I’m thrilled to have Paul join our Le Mans 24 Hours team. He has done a fantastic job racing in America for United Autosports and I know he will continue that onto Le Mans. He knows the car now so all he’s got to learn is the circuit, which I’m confident he will do quickly.” 

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:

“We now have two great driver line ups for Le Mans. I was keen to get Paul in our car for the race after his performance at Daytona. His drive at Sebring just confirmed it as well, he looks like a seasoned sports car driver, even though Sebring was only his second sports car race. Paul really fits in well with the team and he has had made a positive contribution to what we are trying to achieve here. I’m excited for Le Mans – fingers crossed we can have a good result like in 2017, and maybe even go one better and head for the podium.”

Le Mans: Montoya to make his debut at Le Mans with United Autosports

United Autosports have confirmed that Juan Pablo Montoya will join the team for the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours. The former F1 racer will join Will Owen and Hugo de Sadeleer in the #32 Ligier JS P217 for his debut at the most prestigious endurance race in the world.

© United Autosports

Although Montoya will be making his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he is no stranger to sports car racing, as he currently races in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for Team Penske. Along with his Formula One career, Juan Pablo has also raced and won in NASCAR and IndyCar and became the only driver to win a CART Series title, the Indy 500 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona all at his first attempt.

Montoya has won many stand out races such as the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. These victories mean he has won two out of three races in the Triple Crown of Motorsport, leaving the Le Mans 24 Hours the final race to conquer to complete this goal.

The 2018 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will begin at 15:00 on Saturday 16th June. United Autosports have had two entries confirmed by the ACO and will be entering the #32 Ligier JS P2 for Juan Pablo, Will and Hugo and the #22 Ligier JS P217 for Phil Hanson, Filipe Albuquerque and a third as yet unconfirmed driver.

Juan Pablo Montoya, driver, United Autosports:

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to experience Le Mans and I’m looking forward to joining United Autosports after they had such a strong finish at Le Mans last year. I’ve always watched the race so I’m very happy to finally be part of it. Hopefully we can have a shot at a win.”

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports:

“Juan Pablo has been around racing for a long time now and he knows what it takes to win. I’m sure he will bring experience and speed to the team, which is exactly what we need for such a demanding race as Le Mans.”

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:

“I watched Juan Pablo race against us at Daytona this year and was so impressed by him through the traffic, he definitely hasn’t lost any of his speed or determination. He’s a great character so I have no doubt that he will fit into the team well at Le Mans. Although it will be his first Le Mans venture, he has a vast amount of racing experience, including wins at the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy 500, meaning this Le Mans venture could be a chance for him to win the triple crown of motorsport. Either way, I’m looking forward to welcoming Juan Pablo to the team.”

ELMS: Wayne Boyd moves up to LMP2 with United Autosports

United Autosports have confirmed that Wayne Boyd will join their LMP2 team for the 2018 European Le Mans Series. Wayne will race the team’s #32 Ligier JS P217 alongside Will Owen and Hugo de Sadeleer.

The Northern Irishman began his career with United Autosports in 2016 as he joined them for their debut in the LMP3 class alongside Mark Patterson and Matt Bell, finishing fifth in the championship. The following year, Wayne raced alongside Mark Patterson and Christian England, finishing third in the championship standings after scoring their first win at the final round at Portimao. 

Wayne tested the United Ligier JS P217 at their private test in Aragon, Spain in November last year alongside Fernando Alonso. He was previously announced to be racing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup alongside Richard Meins. The driver replacing Wayne will be announced shortly.

Wayne Boyd, driver, United Autosports:

“To be back with United for my third season was amazing and now I’ve been given this huge opportunity, I’ll be giving it absolutely everything. I had a test with the team in LMP2 at Aragon last year and it went really well. I still have a lot to learn but I have two great team mates and an amazing team around me to help. It’s quite literally a dream come true for me. I can’t thank Richard, Zak and everyone involved enough. I’d also like to thank Richard Meins who I was originally driving with this year for his understanding. I can’t wait to get going now.” 

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports:

“I’m really pleased Wayne will be joining our LMP2 programme. He has been quick in our LMP3 car and I’m confident he will carry this on to the LMP2 project. He’s great to have around and I think he will work well with Will and Hugo. I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on.” 

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:

“We’ve been in the lucky position where we haven’t had to rush to get our driver line ups together so we could take our time to get the right ones in place. I’m really pleased Wayne can join our LMP2 team. The team are so pleased to be able to create this opportunity for one of our long term LMP3 drivers. He has progressed so well in LMP3, that we felt the time was right for him to step up to our LMP2 team. It will be a shame that he isn’t racing with Richard in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, but I’m sure he will work well with Will and Hugo and I’m confident they will get some good results.”

Phil Hanson & Bruno Senna to race for United Autosports in the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup

United Autosports have confirmed they will enter the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup this year.  The Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and the Motul Petit Le Mans will complete the four North American endurance events, joining the Rolex 24 At Daytona the team are competing in this weekend. 

© United Autosports

Phil Hanson will race alongside Bruno Senna in a Ligier JS P217 in the three remaining endurance events in the US. Phil joined United Autosports at the end of 2017 and began an intensive testing programme in preparation for the 2018 European Le Mans Series, where he will race alongside Filipe Albuquerque. Phil is also racing this weekend at Daytona in the #23 Ligier JS P217 alongside Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris.

Bruno joined United Autosports for the first time this year for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. He will be racing alongside Paul Di Resta, Will Owen and Hugo de Sadeleer in the #32 Ligier JS P217. Bruno and Phil’s teammate for the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup will be announced in the coming weeks. 

© United Autosports

Phil Hanson, driver, United Autosports:

“I’m really looking forward to racing in the North American Endurance Cup. It will be a good supplement to an already pretty lavish programme we have going on with ELMS and the Rolex 24 and my testing programme, so it will fill up my calendar quite nicely. Obviously I’m really happy to be doing it with United. We chose them at the end of last year after their success in Europe and the professional set up they have. The structure has been very good so far, so we are really happy to extend the programme with the team. It’s been a pretty good start to 2018, the guys are doing a really good job, I think I’m fitting in quite well and I’m enjoying having a structured approach to my racing.”

Bruno Senna, driver, United Autosports:

“Extending the programme with United Autosports is very cool. So far the team has been great and we have been working together very well and the environment in the team is really fun. We have a lot of work to do for sure. There’s always so much car and team development throughout a season and the first race is always a big learning curve. We can look forward to the next few races now though and try to do the best we can. Each race will give us very different challenges, Sebring is a tough bumpy track so there will be a lot of work to do to get the car nice for us to drive for 12 hours but I’m excited to see what we can do. I’m familiar with all the circuits so I will do what I can to help the team and Phil get up to speed.”

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports:

“I’m pleased United Autosports have committed to racing in the four IMSA endurance events in the US. Phil and Bruno have settled into the team really well in a short space of time and putting them together in one car will create a great line up.”

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:

“To enter the four endurance races as part of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup is a big step for United Autosports, but one we are really looking forward to. There has been a lot to learn about racing over in America and in IMSA, but everyone has been very helpful in assisting us so far. Racing in the IMSA series has been on our radar for a while now and to take our European championship winning team over there is definitely the next step in our racing plans.”

ELMS: John Falb & Sean Rayhall to defend their LMP3 title with United Autosports

United Autosports have confirmed that John Falb and Sean Rayhall will return to the team in 2018, defending their 2017 European Le Mans Series LMP3 Championship. 

John and Sean joined the team for the 2017 season and scored three wins, including a win on their debut at Silverstone and a win at the prestigious Road to Le Mans race. They also took a total of seven trips to the podium throughout the 2017 season, finishing the year as ELMS champions by 22 points. They will also be aiming to repeat their Road to Le Mans race win in 2018, by joining the team for the special event in June.

Since they last raced for United Autosports, John won the PC class of the Motul Petit Le Mans in October, while he and Sean raced together in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Sean also raced in the IMSA Prototype Challenge at Daytona and they will join forces once again in the GTD class of the Rolex 24 At Daytona next weekend.

United Autosports will field two Ligier JS P3s in the 2018 European Le Mans Series, with the second line up still to be confirmed. They will also enter two Ligier JS P217s into the LMP2 class of the ELMS.

John Falb, driver, United Autosports:

“I’m super excited to be back with the United Autosports family. We had an unbelievable 2017 winning the championship and I’m excited to be able to keep the team together with a solid programme and be able to build on all the work we did last year. We know we have to work hard as everyone will be upping their game and I know where I need to improve to become a better driver. I can’t wait to get back to the team and contest another championship in the European Le Mans Series." 

Sean Rayhall, driver, United Autosports:

“We had a lot of success with United Autosports last year and it’s like a family over there, so it made sense to go back. We had other offers and we considered LMP2, but being back with United is definitely where we want to be long term. I’m excited to keep the group together. We have some things we can improve on, but I’m sure we can fix those with the hard work I know the team will invest in the programme.”

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports:

“It’s great to have John and Sean back with United Autosports for a second year. They showed what they can do in 2017, so now we can aim for a third consecutive championship in a row for the team, as this pair have proved they can win it once, why not win it again?”

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:

“I’m so pleased John and Sean are going to be returning to the team for 2018. We formed a great relationship during the 2017 season and I was thrilled to see them crowned as champions at Portimao last October. It’s good for the team to have consistency with drivers and I’m sure we can only build on what we started last year. The competition will be tough once again, but I’m confident in this line up and the team, that we can put up a good fight for the title.”

ELMS - United Autosports signs Phil Hanson & expand to 2 cars in LMP2

United Autosports announced more details about their 2018 program in the European Le Mans Series next season, with the signing of Phil Hanson and the addition of a second Ligier JS P217.

The American team will expand its presence in the European Le Mans Series to two cars in the LMP2 class, adding a second Gibson powered Ligier to their current line-up. The first season of United Autosports in the ELMS has been quite successful so far with a win at their maiden race in Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring.  The team is still in contention for this years title, which will be decided next week in Portimao, Portugal. 

Also confirmed is the signing of Phil Hanson to the team, who will start his season with United Autosports in the Daytona 24 Hours next January. He will also be one of the designated drivers in the European Le Mans Series.  18-year old Hanson made an impressive debut in the European Le Mans Series with Tockwith Motorsports, showing some outright speed in both LMP3 and LMP2 machinery and clinched this years Asian Le Mans Series championship.  He will race alongside Lando Norris in one of the team's Daytona 24 Hours entries, the third driver to be announced soon. 

Phil Hanson, driver, United Autosports: “I’m very excited to be racing for reigning European Le Mans Series champions United Autosports next year. The Rolex 24 at Daytona will be my first race in America. Racing at Daytona is a very exhilarating way to start my 2018 season, as it is one of the most famous races in the world. I can’t wait to get going.”

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports: “I’m really looking forward to working with Phil next year. Although relatively new to sports car racing, he’s got some experience under his belt already and he will only get better with time. 2018 is looking to be very exciting for the team."

United Autosports confirms LMP2 entry in Le Mans and ELMS

This afternoon at the Autosport Show in Birmingham, United Autosports conformed its LMP2 entry in the European Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The first two drivers of the LMP2 line-up have also been announced.

© United Autosports

Will Owen and Hugo de Sadeleer have joined the reigning ELMS LMP3 championship winning team for their debut LMP2 season. Will and Hugo will also be racing at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours in June as part of the agreement.

American, Will Owen began karting at the age of 15, quickly moving into single seater racing. He has previously competed in the USF2000 Championship, winning in Indianapolis and scoring multiple top-10 finishes in his debut year. Most recently, Will has been racing in the Pro Mazda Championship. Swiss-born Hugo de Sadeleer also comes from a single seater racing background, having most recently raced in the 2016 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – one of the support races to the ELMS. Hugo has previously tested with United Autosports in one of their Ligier JS P3 sports prototypes at Estoril, Portugal at the end of last year.

Will and Hugo will be joined by an as yet unconfirmed third driver in the United Autosports Ligier JS P217.

Last week United Autosports have already confirmed their two-car ELMS LMP3 drivers, by announcing American pairing, John Falb and Sean Rayhall at the end of the 2016 season, with the announcement last week that Mark Patterson, Wayne Boyd and Christian England will remain with the team for 2017.

Quotes: 

Will Owen, driver, United Autosports:

“I am so excited to be a part of the United Autosports LMP2 team. 2017 is shaping up to be a fantastic year and I am very thankful to have this opportunity to race in the European Le Mans Series with such an experienced and professional team. There is going to be great competition this year in the LMP2 category and we are all going to learn so much but I also know everyone on the team is pushing to win. It is a dream come true to be able to go race at circuits like Silverstone, Monza, Spa and Le Mans. It has been a goal of mine to race at the Le Mans 24 Hours but I never thought I would make it this early in my racing career. It is an honour to be a part of an event with such deep history.

Hugo de Sadeleer, driver, United Autosports:

“I am excited and hopeful about taking this huge step from single-seater racing to endurance racing. The ELMS will be a thrilling challenge; if I look back to a year ago, I would never have imagined myself transitioning to such an impressive machine. I am honoured to be joining such a distinguished team too. It was by chance that I met with United Autosports last season and they gave me the incredible opportunity to prove myself in their winning LMP3 car. I am very grateful for their belief in me and hope our partnership will lead to success. The Le Mans 24 Hours always felt like just a dream but the fact that it has become a reality is beyond belief. The history of Le Mans, as well as competing against drivers that I look up to, is something I am very proud to be a part of.”

Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports:

“It’s going to be great having Hugo and Will as part of our LMP2 driver line up. Hugo tested our LMP3 car at the end of last year and did an excellent job and I have followed Will for a while now with his racing in America. I have high expectations for both of them. I’m so excited that United Autosports will be racing at the Le Mans 24 Hours. The team had a great year in 2016, winning the LMP3 championship so I’m confident we can carry the momentum onto 2017. Now we need to finish our driver line up. We know who we want and are just putting our finishing touches together to get our entire programme in place.”

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:

“I’m really pleased Will and Hugo are joining the United family for our debut year in LMP2 racing. The decision to race in LMP2 came quite late at the end of last year. Once it was confirmed we would have an entry into the Le Mans 24 Hours after winning the LMP3 championship, we decided to go ahead and planned to race in the LMP2 category, alongside our existing LMP3 commitments. It’s taken a lot of work in a short space of time to pull it all together, but I’m excited for what we’ve got going on this year.”