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After a brilliant start to #23’s championship campaign, finishing first at the season opener in Sebring, the team lead the WEC championship as they head to Spa-Francorchamps, a circuit known for United Autosports’ recent LMP2 domination having won the last two consecutive WEC races in 2020 & ’21.
Alexander Lynn makes his season debut with the team, joining Joshua Pierson and Oliver Jarvis in #23 Oreca-07, whilst the #22 crew of Filipe Albuquerque, Philip Hanson and William Owen will be heading to Spa determined to wipe the slate clean and maximise on their race leading pace that was shown in Sebring, and repeat their front row qualifying performance.
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United Autosports made its LMP2 debut at Spa in 2017 and has competed in a total of seven LMP2 races at the Belgian venue, five times in ELMS (2017-21) and twice in WEC (2020/21).
In the seven LMP2 races United Autosports have competed in at Spa, the team has:
+ scored five LMP2 wins (2 WEC, 3 ELMS)
+ scored four pole-positions (2 WEC, 2 ELMS)
+ set four fastest race laps (2 WEC, 2 ELMS)
Additional Spa stats:
+ United Autosports made its Spa debut in 2010, contesting the 24 Hours of Spa, finishing third and fourth in GT3. In addition to co-owners Zak Brown and Richard Dean competing, Mark Blundell, Eddie Cheever and Stefan Johansson were amongst the eight-strong United driver line-up.
+ United Autosports have competed at Spa on 22 occasions having also raced in the FIA GT3 European Championship, British GT Championship, Supercar Challenge, LMP3 Cup/MLMC and winning a GT4 Euro Series last year.
+ Additionally, United have scored two LMP3 victories in ELMS at Spa (2018 & 2020)
WEC SPA 2021 Podium Image
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Thursday 5 May: 11:00-11:30 Pre-event Press Conference; 15:30-17:00 Free Practice 1
Friday 6 May: 09:05-10:35 Free Practice 2; 12:40-13:40 Pit Walk; 14:00-15:00 Free Practice 3; 18:40-18:50 Qualifying -Hypercar & LMP2
Saturday 7 May: 09:45-10:45 Pit Walk; 12:10-12:45 Grid Walk; 13:00-19:00 TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
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The TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps gets underway at 13:00 (CET)/ 12:00 (BST).
Live coverage for UK viewers is available on the Eurosport TV channel.
Alternatively, all race coverage, and build-up, can be streamed on the FIA WEC official app.
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Filipe Albuquerque
“We have great memories of Spa. Phil and I have won every race we’ve entered across WEC and ELMS for the last five years. This doesn’t mean we’re going to win this next one, so we are focusing and working hard to continue this record. Unfortunately, with our first race in Sebring we were really competitive but the race just didn’t favour us. I am confident of the three of us, including Will who has proven his racing capabilities, will head to Spa to achieve another pole position and win. It’s a track we know very well and the car set up favours the circuit. I have fond memories of Spa and I hope I can achieve my sixth win with the team and my co-drivers.”
Philip Hanson
"Spa is my favourite circuit on the WEC calendar. It's a track that I have had a lot of success at winning the last two WEC races in the previous two seasons. After Sebring, a strong result in Spa is going to be crucial to get back up the standings before we go to Le Mans."
William Owen
“I'm excited to head to Spa for the second round of the WEC! It's always one of the most fun tracks to drive, and I last drove there in 2020 in the ELMS. We will have to execute perfectly to get a good result, as the field is very competitive from what we saw in Sebring. I have some personal driving goals that I want to achieve, focused around getting up to speed more quickly and always continuing to adapt through the weekend. I can't wait to be back in the paddock.”
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Joshua Pierson
“I’m really looking forward to Spa and getting back behind the wheel of the #23 car; this time with Alex Lynn joining myself and Oliver. I'm confident we'll have a good car under us, and we'll be looking to chase another good result. Spa has quickly become one of my favourite tracks after testing their previously, and I'm really looking forward to completing my first race there.”
Oliver Jarvis
“After a dream start to our WEC season with a win in the opening round at Sebring, we head to round two in Spa with the championship lead and extremely motivated to try and carry on that strong form. Joshua and myself will also be joined by Alex for the first time, after Paul stood in for him in Sebring, so its great to get the full season line up together. Spa is always a difficult challenge for drivers and teams and I expect this years race to be tougher than ever with such a competitive LMP2 grid.”
Alexander Lynn
“Very excited to return to the United Autosports #23 car for the remainder of the WEC season. It’s the first time since Le Mans last year, which was a successful race with the team, crossing the line after 24 hours in fourth. From my side, I can’t wait to come back into the team and pick up where everyone left off in Sebring two months ago. I was lucky enough to win the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, a day later, with my IMSA team Chip Ganassi Racing, after the #23 won the 1000 miles of Sebring, so I’m ready to carry on the good success with Oliver and Joshua in Spa.”
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Zak Brown
“We’re positively looking forward to Spa. After practice, qualifying and the first half of the opening WEC race at Sebring, a United 1-2 looked very possible. But a few setbacks ruled the #22 crew out and they’re eager to put that disappointment behind them. The #23 will be aiming to repeat its Sebring victory, Joshua and Oliver being joined by Alex, who last raced for us at Le Mans last year. It should be an intense contest."
Richard Dean
“We made a very competitive start to the 2022 WEC season with both cars running P1 & P2 at Sebring for long periods in the first part of the race. Spa has always been a happy hunting ground for our team too so we hope we can continue with the winning ways. The WEC series, and LMP2 in particular, continues to grow in strength and depth every season since we entered, this season has seen the addition of some very competitive teams and drivers. We relish the opportunity to compete against the best as it continues to push our team to new levels.”