Ben Hanley
Ben Hanley
RACING IN: IMSA /ELMS - LMP2
Biography
Ben Hanley is a British racing driver who has won LMP2 class honours in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Rolex 24 at Daytona. In 2024, he is contesting two LMP2 championships with United Autosports - the WeatherTech IMSA SportsCar Championship and the European Le Mans Series.
Key Stats
Nationality
British
Hometown
Manchester
DOB
22nd January
Favourite circuit
Silverstone
Racing career
Born and raised in Manchester, Ben Hanley’s passion for racing was inspired by his father’s love of “anything with an engine”. By the time he was five years old, Hanley was behind the wheel, getting involved in Motocross, quad racing and karting throughout his childhood.
In 2005, Hanley made his debut on the single-seater scene, racing in numerous Formula Renault championships across the UK and Europe – claiming third place in the 2005 Formula Renault 2.0 Italia and second place in the 2007 Formula Renault 3.5 Series.
In 2009, Hanley switched his focus back to karting, finishing third in the Karting World Championship, and going on to celebrate a swathe of wins and podiums over the next six years. Come 2016, Hanley made his entrance in the sportscar paddock with a seat in the European Le Mans Series LMP2 class, winning his first ELMS race at the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps that year.
The following year, in 2017, Hanley contested the European Le Mans Series, FIA World Endurance Championship (LMP2) and IMSA SportsCar Championship – three highly-competitive series where he is now a familiar face, having raced in them almost every year since. In 2022, Hanley also raced at the Asian Le Mans Series, taking home the championship title on his ALMS debut.
In 2023, Ben, who has also raced in GP2, IndyCar and Superleague Formula, contested two full-season LMP2 championships – the Asian Le Mans Series and IMSA SportsCar Championship – alongside a LMP2 Pro/Am entry in the European Le Mans Series. He also joined the United Autosports team for three races in the FIA World Endurance Championship - celebrating second place in the 6 Hours of Portimão.
In 2024, Ben Hanley has signed for his first full season with United Autosports - racing in the WeatherTech IMSA SportsCar Championship (read more) and European Le Mans Series (read more).
Ben brings speed, experience and a no-nonsense approach to his racing that I love.
richard dean
Career Highlights
// Winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2020 (LMP2 class)
// Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2021 (LMP2 Pro/Am)
// Clinching the 2022 Asian Le Mans Series championship
2023 fia world endurance championship
Hanley joined the #22 United Autosports crew for two races in 2023 - the 6 Hours of Portimão and 6 Hours of Monza – owing to Filipe Albuquerque’s clashing IMSA commitments. On his team debut, Hanley celebrated second place on the Portimão podium with co-drivers Phil Hanson and Frederick Lubin (read more), and was awarded the Goodyear Wingfoot Award for the fastest average lap time over a double stint.
In September, he was announced for a third WEC race with United Autosports – this time standing in for IndyCar-bound Tom Blomqvist, racing the sister #23 ORECA 07 with Oliver Jarvis and Josh Pierson and crossing the line P4 (read more).
I know the United Autosports team, so I'm hoping to slot in seamlessly.
BEN HANLEY
ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA
Hanley is also a regular face on the US racing stage, making his IMSA debut at the 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Over the years, Hanley has celebrated much success at the famous Rolex 24 at Daytona race - winning in 2020, securing pole position in 2019 and taking two more podiums in 2019 and 2023 - the latter, having lost out on victory by just 0.016 seconds.
In 2024 - his sixth IMSA season - Ben is racing with United Autosports in the #2 LMP2 ORECA 07 with co-drivers Ben Keating and Nico Pino. IndyCar star Pato O'Ward joined the trio for a one-off special at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January 2024, where the crew celebrated pole position, dominated the first half of the race and ultimately crossed the line P6 (read the race report).
personal life
Ben lives in Lancashire with his wife and two children, who are often seen cheering him on at racetracks around the world. When he is in the UK, Ben enjoys family time and working on their home renovation – as well as keeping on top of his training regime.
