United Autosports has revealed two star signings for its 2024 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona LMP2 effort, with IndyCar Series regulars Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist set to join the Anglo-American team in January.
O’Ward, who competes in IndyCar with Arrow McLaren and has two Rolex 24 wins to his name, will join Ben Keating, Ben Hanley and Nico Pino in the team’s #2 ORECA 07 Gibson.
“We have been trying to get Pato in a United Autosports car for a while now,” said Richard Dean, United Autosports CEO. “After a few false starts, finally we have our man. Pato brings experience as a Daytona race winner and is just plain fast in everything he drives! I would like to thank everyone at the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team for helping make this happen.”
Rosenqvist meanwhile, will race with United before embarking on his sixth consecutive IndyCar Series campaign (also with McLaren) before making his debut with United. The Swede will race in the #22 ORECA with Daniel Goldburg, Paul di Resta and another yet-to-be-announced driver.
“Felix Rosenqvist is a winner,” added Dean. “He has won races across an impressive range of series through his racing career and, over the past five years, has made a real name for himself in IndyCar. We are really excited to see Felix in the United Autosports car this January and feel very proud to partner with him in his quest for success at Daytona.”
Rosenqivst says he is extremely excited to get back behind the wheel of a prototype at Daytona.
“It’s been five years since I last competed in a sportscar race,” he said. “I used to do it a lot back in the day. But it’s been put on pause recently because I’ve been focussing on my IndyCar career. It’s something I love doing and to be racing with United Autosports is really cool. This team has won a lot of LMP2 races before, so they’re coming in with the expectation to do well – which matches my goals!
“I think we have a strong team with Daniel Goldburg and Paul di Resta. “I’ve worked with Paul before, so it will be good to get back together after many years. I’m super pumped – can’t wait to get going at the ROAR!”
O’Ward and Rosenqivst add to United’s history of fielding prominent McLaren drivers at the Rolex 24. Back in 2018, the team’s Ligier JS P217 featured both Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso as part of its line-up.
The 2024 IMSA season will be United’s first as a full-time LMP2 team. It will compete throughout the season in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship alongside its FIA WEC LMGT3 effort with McLaren.
