- Race winning duo to return to British team for 2020 season
- Championship win the aim for LMP2 team next year
- ELMS programme will run alongside FIA WEC commitments for the pair
United Autosports are pleased to confirm that Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque will return to the team for the 2020 European Le Mans Series.
The duo, who have been team mates since the start of the 2018 season, will race behind the wheel of the Oreca 07 once again. Since the chassis switch in July earlier this year, the pair have scored five consecutive LMP2 front row starts, including two pole positions, along with four consecutive podium finishes, including a win at Spa Francorchamps. In 2018 Phil and Filipe finished the European season with two wins at Spa and Portimao. They have finished fourth in the LMP2 championship for two years running, with the championship win firmly the aim for the pair in 2020.
Phil and Filipe’s 2020 ELMS programme will run alongside the remaining rounds of their FIA World Endurance Championships campaign, with the European season beginning in Barcelona, Spain at the end of March.
The next race for United Autosports and Phil and Filipe is round four of the FIA WEC at Bahrain next month (13-14 December).
Phil Hanson, driver, United Autosports:
“I’m super excited to be returning to the ELMS with United Autosports in 2020. It’s been a long campaign so far both in ELMS and WEC and I’m thrilled to be returning alongside my Portuguese teammate for my third full season of ELMS. We showed what we were capable of during the second half of the 2019 season with a win in Spa and a second in Portimao so I can’t wait to be back in the racing seat and working towards more success.”
Filipe Albuquerque, driver, United Autosports:
“It’s strange to imagine that I am going into my fourth straight year driving with United Autosports. I am really happy to sign for another ELMS season with United especially with all the ingredients we have now. In 2020 I will be able to make all the ELMS rounds as there are no clashing programmes, we will be driving an Oreca from the very first race and on top of that driving with Phil will be fantastic as I now consider him a friend along with being a very fast driver. Everything is just perfect. Our only goal is to win the ELMS championship.”
Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports:
“I’m delighted Phil and Filipe are returning to the team for the 2020 season. They are a fantastic pair of guys to have as part of the team and they are a quick pairing so I’m excited to see what they can achieve next year.”
Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:
“2020 will be the third year we have run Phil and Filipe together in our ELMS LMP2 team and I am confident that next year will be their year. Phil has developed into a top-quality driver in his own right, yet he gives you the impression there is still much more to come, it is very exciting from somebody still so young. Filipe has to take so much credit for this development and indeed the development of our LMP2 team, he is a real professional and always working hard to create a positive environment. They have proven time and again that they are quick and reliable in a race car so there’s no reason why they can’t challenge for the championship. I’m very much looking forward to the season starting already.”