Manuel Maldonado, Ben Hanley and Gregoire Saucy - United Autosports racing drivers, European Le Mans Series 2025
Two-time European Le Mans Series (ELMS) LMP2 Pro/Am race winner Gregoire Saucy and ELMS race winner Manuel Maldonado will team up with Ben Hanley (previously announced – read more) in the #22 United Autosports ORECA 07 this season, with the proven trio - who count 22 ELMS podiums, including five race wins, between them - going for the outright ELMS championship title in 2025.
Last year in the ELMS, Gregoire Saucy celebrated two race wins (4 Hours of Le Castellet and 4 Hours of Mugello) and a further two podiums (4 Hours of Barcelona and 4 Hours of Imola) on his debut season in the six-round European endurance series. In 2025, the Swiss driver will make his second consecutive appearance in the ELMS, his first in the LMP2 class, and his first ELMS appearance with United Autosports.
“I am super happy to be in the LMP2 Pro class in ELMS this year,” says Saucy, “and of course with the United Autosports team! I’m really looking forward to starting a second programme with this fantastic team, alongside the McLaren LMGT3 project in the WEC [FIA World Endurance Championship]. It is really nice to be with the same team for both series.”
Gregoire Saucy celebrates podium finish in 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship Qatar 1812Km
Saucy also races with United Autosports in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), with 2025 marking his second consecutive season with the team in the LMGT3 class. Last month, Saucy celebrated his first WEC podium, crossing the line in second place (pictured above) just 0.493 seconds behind the leader in a thrilling dash to the line - at the season opener in Qatar (read more).
For Maldonado - cousin of F1 race winner Pastor Maldonado - the 2025 ELMS will see him return to familiar territory with United Autosports. In 2021, Maldonado took the Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 championship title with the team (read more) and celebrated third place on the podium at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet (pictured below). Since then, the British Venezuelan driver has secured his first ELMS race win (2024 4 Hours of Imola) and a further four ELMS podiums.
Manuel Maldonado celebrates third place in the 2021 4 Hours of Le Castellet with United Autosports
“Re-United!” says Maldonado. “It’s great to be back with the team and see so many familiar faces. A lot of effort has gone into preparing for this season, and the lineup is strong. I’m really looking forward to working with Ben [Hanley] and Gregoire [Saucy]. Together we have a great dynamic. The goal is clear, to win the championship and we have what it takes. Big thanks to Richard [Dean] for the opportunity to return to the team.”
United Autosports has celebrated extensive success in the ultra-competitive ELMS, taking the LMP3 championship title three times since 2016 (2016, 2017 and 2020), the 2020 LMP2 championship title, and the LMP2 vice-championship title on four occasions (2017, 2020, 2021 and 2023).
“Ben [Hanley], Gregoire [Saucy] and Manuel [Maldonado] will be a fantastic force on track as we go hunting for the ELMS championship title,” says Richard Dean, United Autosports CEO. “It’s going to be an exciting season with three ELMS entries in three categories for the first time in United Autosports’ history, and the goal is to come home with the clean sweep of titles.”
The full driver line-up for the 2025 ELMS attack – which will include United Autosports’ debut in the ELMS LMGT3 class – has now been confirmed:
- #21 LMP2 Pro/Am ORECA 07: Daniel Schneider, Oliver Jarvis and Marino Sato (read more)
- #22 LMP2 ORECA 07: Ben Hanley, Gregoire Saucy and Manuel Maldonado
- #23 LMGT3 MCLAREN GT3 EVO: Michael Birch, Garnet Patterson and Wayne Boyd (read more)
The 4 Hours of Barcelona - the 2025 ELMS season opener – will roar into action on April 6th 2025. Stay up to date with the team on social @unitedautosports.