United Autosports has revealed, as expected, that its driver pairing of Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque will return to the team for an ELMS programme in 2020.
The duo, who have been racing together since 2018, add another programme together, which will overlap with their current FIA WEC campaign that will run until the 2020 running of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
In 2020, Hanson and Albuquerque will look to build on their strong second half to the 2019 ELMS season, when they switched from racing a Ligier JS P217 to an ORECA 07 and went on to win at Spa and finish second in the season finale at Portimao.
“I’m super excited to be returning to the ELMS with United Autosports in 2020,” said Hanson. “It’s been a long campaign so far both in ELMS and WEC and I’m thrilled to be returning alongside my Portuguese teammate for my third full season of ELMS. We showed what we were capable of during the second half of the 2019 season with a win in Spa and a second in Portimao so I can’t wait to be back in the racing seat and working towards more success.”
Albuquerque, after finishing fourth in the ELMS title races the past two seasons, says that their goal is to win the title in 2020.
“It’s strange to imagine that I am going into my fourth straight year driving with United Autosports,” he said. “I am really happy to sign for another ELMS season with United especially with all the ingredients we have now. In 2020 I will be able to make all the ELMS rounds as there are no clashing programmes, we will be driving an Oreca from the very first race and on top of that driving with Phil will be fantastic as I now consider him a friend along with being a very fast driver.
“Everything is just perfect. Our only goal is to win the ELMS championship.”
Richard Dean, United’s owner added: “I am confident that next year will be their year.
“Phil has developed into a top-quality driver in his own right, yet he gives you the impression there is still much more to come, it is very exciting from somebody still so young. Filipe has to take so much credit for this development and indeed the development of our LMP2 team, he is a real professional and always working hard to create a positive environment.
“They have proven time and again that they are quick and reliable in a race car so there’s no reason why they can’t challenge for the championship. I’m very much looking forward to the season starting already.”
United is set to race in the ELMS with two ORECA 07s in LMP2 again next year, and in LMP3 with multiple 2020 chassis (the team known to have committed to racing with Ligier’s new JS P320 platform). Currently, only Alex Brundle is confirmed in the second car, his teammates are expected to be announced soon.
Image courtesy of United
