United Autosports will campaign two Oreca LMP2 cars in the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship with Filipe Albuquerque confirmed in one car, his sixth year with the team.
Reigning FIA WEC and ELMS LMP2 Champion Albuquerque first joined United Autosports when they made their LMP2 debut in 2017 scoring an ELMS race win alongside Hugo de Sadeleer and Will Owen at the opening round of the 2017 ELMS season at Silverstone going on to finish second in the championship in the team’s first year.
In 2018, Filipe teamed up with Phil Hanson in a partnership that has spanned the last four seasons. More wins came in both 2018 and 2019, with a run of 13 consecutive podiums starting from the ELMS race at Spa in 2019, running throughout their record-breaking year in 2020. With 15 podiums out of the last 17 races, Filipe is one of the most successful endurance racing drivers currently racing.
During his time with United Autosports, Filipe has won two championships and scored 14 race wins, 21 podiums and 11 pole positions.
United Autosports have also confirmed that their second Oreca LMP2 effort will feature currently 15 year old American racer are Josh Pierson who will turn 16 years old in February 2022. Filipe and Josh’s teammates are still to be announced.
Whilst United Autosports have campaigned multi-car efforts in the ELMS, Asian Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans, Cup 2022 is set to be their first two-car full-season in the WEC.
Filipe Albuquerque: “I’m super happy to be able to continue with United Autosports for 2022 and to once again enter the WEC and Le Mans. United are the team I’ve been with the longest in my career which says a lot. It makes sense for us to continue together, we know each other so well and every year it feels more and more like a family. Knowing everyone is great and their work method is unbelievable so I can’t wait to continue into 2022 going for more wins, which is exactly what we have been doing so far. I want to thank Richard and Zak for the trust they have shown in me. The results from my side obviously help but it’s great to be working again with the whole team. Of course, I want to continue being part of the team getting such great results.”
Zak Brown: “To welcome Filipe back to the team for a sixth year is fantastic. He has been an integral part of our team during our record-breaking year, and we are hopeful we can continue that great relationship into the 2022 season as well.”
Richard Dean: “I’m so pleased to be able to welcome Filipe back to the team for a sixth year. It’s crazy to think he’s been racing with us for that long, but we have had so much success together, it made sense to continue that relationship. I’m also thrilled to be able to confirm we are going to enter two Oreca LMP2 cars into the WEC next year as well, with Filipe in one car and our recently announced driver, Josh Pierson in the other.”
