A second 24 Hours of Le Mans victory for United Autorsports

Faced with the scenario provided by the Hypercars, the other categories have unfortunately been somewhat forgotten. For the only time this season in the World Endurance Championship, the LMP2s were invited to race. Thanks to their presence, they inflated the field to 62 cars. Exceptional.

At the end of these 24 hours, it is United Autosport that emerges victorious with its #22. The American team thus snatches the crown from Inter Europol, which finished in second place. Only 18 seconds separate the two prototypes.

Beyond the second success of Zak Brown’s team in Le Mans, two drivers have made history in the race. Bijoy Garg crossed the finish line as a winner in his first participation. “Winning Le Mans on my first attempt is incredible. United Autosports gave us a fast car throughout the race and prepared us for all conditions. Olly did a fantastic job in the race, but most importantly, he guided Nolan and me well throughout the week, allowing us to quickly reach our cruising speed. We had to work hard to win because of the conditions, but we had a good pace. I look forward to doing it again someday,” rejoiced the American.

The 21-year-old young man is not the only one to have achieved such a feat. Nolas Siegel was also making his debut in this endurance race. It was my first Le Mans. And we won it on our first attempt, which is incredible. I couldn’t be happier with this result. The way the team handled everything during the race, which took place in very changing conditions, makes the result even more beautiful. It’s remarkable that Bijoy and I won as rookies… With the advice of Olly (Jarvis), everything fell into place. It’s an extraordinary group of people at United Autosports who did everything possible to help us, recounting happily, Nolas Siegel.

Oliver Jarvis double winner in LMP2

The third thief in the gang is a regular in Sarthe and in success. Oliver Jarvis has been on the Le Mans podium three times with Audi in the LMP1 era. The Englishman won the race in 2017 in LMP2. And came tantalizingly close to an overall victory, as only the Porsche 919 #2 was ahead of the Jackie Chan DC Racing car. « What a race! This is my thirteenth Le Mans and none has been as tough. Track conditions were constantly changing – it was tough for drivers, teams, spectators. We had a really solid race, avoided trouble and, above all, stayed at the front. Even when we were in the lead, I only believed in victory in the middle of my final stint. My co-drivers were making their Le Mans debuts and are leaving as winners », enthuses the former Audi driver.

Double abandonment in GT3

Now that Le Mans is over, the LMP2 cars will resume their championship. It will be possible to see the prototypes of the American team at Watkins Glen (IMSA) from June 27. Then at Imola, on July 4, for the fourth round of the ELMS.

Also engaged in GT3, United Autosport had more difficulties. The two McLarens had to throw in the towel a few laps apart. The first one, #59, completed the 24 Hours race at 61 laps. The other one, #95, at 68 laps.

« An untimely end for us at Le Mans. The team did an impeccable job throughout the weekend. It was truly impressive to be a part of it. I am extremely happy with our performance. To participate in a new championship with a new car and be in a position to fight for a podium at Le Mans. The race was very challenging with wet and dry conditions, but everyone did a wonderful job. The engineers, mechanics, Marino (Sato), and Hiroshi (Hamaguchi)… They executed everything perfectly. In the end, we couldn’t get ahead, but that’s racing. We will have other opportunities to try, Nico Pino from #95 summarizes.

With their abandonment, the two cars fall in the GT3 standings. The #59 is in thirteenth position with 12 points. The #95 in sixteenth place with 8 points.