- Debut race with United Autosports for 16-year-old Josh Pierson
- Two-day test with FIA WEC teammate Oliver Jarvis at Yas Marina
- Paul Di Resta returns to the team for the two Abu Dhabi four-hour races
Photo 09 02 2022, 17 28 37
United Autosports are preparing for their next race weekend of 2022 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi (18-20 February)
The team have been in Abu Dhabi since the beginning of last week, testing with Josh Pierson and his FIA World Endurance Championship teammate, Oliver Jarvis. As Josh only turned 16 on Monday (14th) he wasn’t eligible to race in the opening weekend of the Asian Le Mans Series in Dubai. Therefore, the team took the decision to only take part in the second weekend in Abu Dhabi, giving Josh valuable time in the car ahead of his debut in the FIA WEC next month.
Josh will be joined by Paul Di Resta in the #23 Oreca 07 due to testing commitments for Oliver in the US. Paul returns to the team for the first time since the 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours, where he finished fourth. Paul was also part of United Autosports FIA WEC team during their championship winning year and also won the 2018/2019 Asian Le Mans Series Championship with the team.
United Autosports are also reigning Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 Champions, after scoring three wins, three pole positions and eight podiums, including a full podium lockout at the final round last year.
The Abu Dhabi race weekend gets underway on Friday 18th February, with race one held on Saturday 19th, and race two on Sunday 20th. Both races and the qualifying sessions will be available to stream live on the Asian Le Mans Series Facebook and YouTube pages along with live timing available on the Asian Le Mans Series website.
Josh Pierson:
“I’m really looking forward to getting started with United Autosports here in Abu Dhabi for the Asian Le Mans Series. This weekend will be a great experience ahead of the upcoming WEC season and it will be a the perfect opportunity to improve my connection with everyone on the team.”
Oliver Jarvis:
“We had a really good two days testing. It was good to get some time in the car and for the team and Josh it was good preparation ahead of the race at the weekend. For me personally, it was nice to be able to spend a bit more time with Josh and the team and I think we made some really good progress. Although I won’t be here for the race, I’ll be following it while I’m out in Sebring, cheering the team on. It would be great to see them start off the year in the best way possible.”
Paul Di Resta:
“I have good memories of the last time I raced in the Asian Le Mans Series, winning the championship in 2018/2019. The Abu Dhabi race will be important for Josh, getting him up to speed ahead of his FIA WEC debut. It will be nice to get back in the car. I haven’t raced since Le Mans last year with United but I’m looking forward to getting back to it.”
Zak Brown:
“Good luck to the team racing out in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Josh and Paul have a great shot of getting some good results along with Josh getting crucial time in the car ahead of WEC.”
Richard Dean:
“Racing in Abu Dhabi is essentially part of Josh’s testing programme, preparing him for the FIA World Endurance Championship. We could only enter the second weekend as Josh only turned 16 on Monday, meaning he is now eligible to race in an ACO sanctioned series. We have had a good couple of days testing with Olly Jarvis, and now Paul Di Resta is here to race alongside Josh. It will be good for Josh to get additional race experience under his belt after racing at Daytona, ahead of the start of WEC.”