- ELMS LMP2 driver joins 2020 Le Mans winners United Autosports
- Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 champion to race #32 Oreca 07
- Racing alongside Nico Jamin and Jonathan Aberdein
15 04 2021 1804
United Autosports are pleased to confirm that Manuel Maldonado will join their Le Mans 24 Hours team for this year’s race.
Manuel, who races for their European Le Mans Series LMP2 team, will join Nico Jamin and Jonathan Aberdein in the #32 Oreca 07 for the 89th running of the world-famous endurance race, making his Le Mans 24 Hours debut.
Manuel first joined United Autosports for the Asian Le Mans Series in the LMP3 class at the beginning of 2021. In his first prototype outing, Manuel, along with teammates Wayne Boyd and Rory Penttinen, won the opening race of the series. He then followed that up with two further wins, taking the LMP3 championship title on his prototype debut.
United Autosports won the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours race after a nail biting final 20 minutes of the race. This victory also clinched the team their maiden FIA World Endurance Championship title with one round remaining. United Autosports have also announced that Paul Di Resta and Alex Lynn will team up in the #23 Oreca 07, with the third driver still to be confirmed. Their full season FIA WEC entry of Phil Hanson, Filipe Albuquerque and Fabio Scherer will race the #22 Oreca 07.
The 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours will be held on 21-22 August, with the official test day being held on 15 August.
Manuel Maldonado:
“It couldn’t be a more exciting opportunity. The biggest race, with the reigning champions of Le Mans, I couldn’t be in a better place. Time to get my head down and focus on the race, there is a huge amount of preparation. I know how much this race means to everyone and I am so grateful to United for the opportunity. I am hoping for the best, and I am sure we will do great. It’s going to be very tough, as it’s the longest race I’ve ever done, but I know lots of preparation will be done beforehand. I can’t wait.”
Zak Brown:
“I’m delighted to welcome Manuel to our Le Mans team for 2021. We have some strong line ups in place to help us defend our win from last year so I’m excited to see what happens.”
Richard Dean:
“Adding Manuel to our Le Mans 24 Hours team made sense given how he has progressed in our ELMS team already this year. He will be making his Le Mans debut, so I hope he really enjoys himself as there really is no race like it.”