Marino Sato and Filip Ugran will share the #22 United Autosports ORECA in the LMP2 Pro class of the European Le Mans Series next season with previously announced signing Ben Hanley.
“It’s shaping up to be a fantastic season in the European Le Mans Series,” says Richard Dean, United Autosports CEO, “with the LMP2 Pro grid doubling in size to 14 entries, including a hugely competitive line-up in Ben Hanley, Marino Sato and Filip Ugran.”
Sato’s ELMS return will run alongside his LMGT3 commitment next year with United Autosports. After winning three races during the 2023 ELMS season, he hopes to once again be a title contender in 2024.
“A big thank you to everyone around me for continuous support and to the team for believing in me,” says Sato. “I’m very happy to be back in ELMS, especially with United Autosports and super happy to add this to my calendar alongside my WEC campaign with United and McLaren. The field looks really strong with the few new teams and a lot of strong drivers but we are ready to give everything. We just missed out on winning the title last season so the target is really clear for us. Can’t wait to get this started!”
Romanian driver Filip Ugran meanwhile, completes the line-up, following his rookie FIA WEC season in 2023 where he came away with three top-five finishes in the highly competitve LMP2 class.
“I am really excited to join United Autosports – they have such a strong track record in the European Le Mans Series,” says Ugran. “My teammates Ben and Marino both have winning experience in the ELMS too, so I’m going to make the most of this opportunity, learn all I can from them and hopefully have a great season together in the #22!”
Ugran’s does have previous ELMS experience to draw from, having competed in the final two rounds of the 2022 season with Algarve Pro Racing.
