Multiple 2020 ELMS and FIA WEC title winners United Autosports are closing in on confirming their full suite of 2021 race programmes.
LMP2
As previously reported on DSC the target for the coming season from the multi-title winning squad is an increase to two cars in the 2021 FIA WEC whilst retaining a two-car LMP2 entry in the ELMS.
With that in mind a fourth Oreca 07 is due for delivery to join the three Orecas currently on strength.
LMP3
There are two changes to report to earlier published plans.
Three Cars For Asian le Mans Series?
Firstly the planned two-car entry for the Asian Le Mans Series may well yet be extended to encompass a third car with Jim McGuire confirmed in one of the original pair of cars and team newcomer Ian Loggie joining Andy Meyrick and 2020 ELMS LMP3 Champion Rob Wheldon in a second.
Rolex 24 Hours Plans Parked
The team’s plans though to contest the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with a pair of Ligier LMP3s have now been cancelled, principally as a result of the confirmation of the driver combinations permitted by the Sporting Regulations, the available options not fitting well with United’s intended driver squads.
Beyond that, plans are well underway to confirm a pair of cars for the European Le Mans Series plus 2-3 cars in the Michelin Le Mans Cup with some new faces set to feature.
Two Le Mans Cup cars have already been confirmed with Andy Meyrick and Daniel Schneider returning for a second consecutive season and Gerry Kraut and Scott Andrews reviving their COVID19-interrupted programme, postponed from 2020.
The team currently has five new-build Ligier JS P320 cars on strength with another car in the process of joining the fleet as test and attrition cover, United in the process of upgrading one of their remaining JS P3 Ligiers.
GT4
The Team’s plans to enter the GT4 European Series are in full flow with two full-season cars planned plus the potential for a third car in selected races too.
Third GT4 McLaren Obtained
The driver line-ups are yet to be announced but are expected to feature new additions to the United roster rather than drivers moving over from LMP. An update on the programme is expected in the coming days.
Ex-Strakka AMG GT3s Sold
Meanwhile, all three of the ex-Strakka Racing Mercedes AMG GT3s acquired with United’s purchase of the team and its assets, have been sold on to new owners in the UK and Poland.
Extreme E
The team’s Spark Odyssey 21 electric SUV, bound for the inaugural Extreme E Series was shaken down late last month, Timmy Hansen and Catie Munnings will drive.
