Team: United Autosports

Class: LMP2

Car and Drivers:

#22 ORECA 07-Gibson driven by Filipe Albuquerque, Paul di Resta and Phil Hanson  

BACKGROUND

Twenty-one-year-old British driver Phil Hanson started out in karting relatively late at the age of 13 in club races before ending his first real season in 2014 with the title in the X30 Junior-Whilton Mill Kart Club Championship. The next year, he won the Super One British Karting Championship, still as an X30 Junior. "I then wondered what to do next. I could have continued in karting at the European level, but given that I lacked experience compared to my adversaries who started a lot earlier, we decided it would be better to move into auto racing right away. In 2016, I joined the family team Tockwith Motorsports in the British GT Championship with an Audi R8 and in the Asian and European Le Mans Series in LMP3."

ACHIEVEMENTS

During the 2016/2017 winter, he became the youngest winner in the Asian Le Mans Series at only 17 years old, allowing the small team managed by Simon Moore to earn an invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For his rookie start, Hanson became the youngest driver ever to make it to the chequered flag, finishing ninth in LMP2 and 11th overall. "However, it became a bit much for the small team Tockwith Motorsports. To improve, I needed testing sessions, experienced teammates and especially a reliable, high-performing car. I found all of that with United Autosports. At the end of 2017, instead of competing, I tested with the Ligier and took part in the development of the JS2. That's when I met my future teammate Filipe Albuquerque who was heavily involved in the development of the car. I was ready for 2018!"

Hanson became the youngest winner ever in the ELMS at the 4 Hours of Spa, and his second victory came soon thereafter at the 4 Hours of Portimão. For the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he joined forces with Paul di Resta, but an incident ended the adventure.

"The following  year, we went all the way but the Ligier didn't have the pace for us to reach the podium. We finished fourth in LMP2. At the end of 2019, we switched to an ORECA 07 and that's when things really started to click. We got the car during the season and the team did fantastic work. During our first weekend with the ORECA at Silverstone in the ELMS, we were already in the running for pole position. We were forced to retire with electrical problems. Once small troubles like that were taken care of, we became more and more solid."

A win at Spa and second place finish at Portimão in the ELMS followed by a victory at Bahrain in the WEC set the tone for the 2020 season.

Ambitions

While United Autosports has great momentum this year, it owes a great deal to the #22 of duo Albuquerque/Hanson who has won four of the six races entered by Zak Brown's team: Spa and Le Castellet in the ELMS and COTA and Spa in the WEC. "As soon as we get to the circuit, we are capable of taking the lead. In terms of success and personal performance, this is undeniably my best season. I learned a lot and improved a great deal in 2019 and this year I really feel like I can fully express myself. To show my true colours!" So, a win in LMP2 this coming weekend at Le Mans is a top priority. "It's not that we now have an ORECA chassis that makes the team good. It always has been. We were one of the few teams able to win with a Ligier. The difference isn't huge between a Ligier and an ORECA, I just think United is excellent at fine-tuning every aspect. Certains teams are great at qualifying or in-race, others at pit stops or strategy, but few are good at everything. United doesn't neglect anything! Now that all the pieces of the puzzle are in place, we seem to be better than ever, but the truth is we always had that strength. Anything can happen at the 24 Hours, including to Toyota!" 

 

PHOTO: Phil Hanson (at left) with teammate Paul di Resta.