24h Le Mans
43 teams (fielding 61 cars) competed in the 87th 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Super Finale of the FIA WEC 2018-19 World Endurance Championship. There were winners, of course, but also mechanical glitches, track incidents and early retirements. Joy for some, disappointment for others... Here’s a summary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the United Autosports team, which ran in the LMP2 class.
Class: LMP2
Car: #22 Ligier JS P217-Gibson
Drivers:
This car qualified in 14th position with a time 3:26.543 clocked by Portuguese driver Filipe Albuquerque during the third session. In the race, the #22 Ligier JS P217-Gibson incurred a drive-through penalty for overtaking while the safety car was deployed. The American team also had to change out a door. Despite these setbacks, the car finished in ninth place overall and fourth in the LMP2 class. "It's a shame to come so close to the podium. Reaching it was our ultimate goal. We didn't have the proper pace compared to other teams. We're satisfied with the work we accomplished since we made no mistakes like last year," commented Paul di Resta.
Car: #32 Ligier JS P217-Gibson
Drivers:
Alex Brundle qualified the #32 Ligier JS P217-Gibson in 17th position with a time of 3:27.509. This car had a more challenging race than the #22. First, the team lost 36 minutes changing out the alternator, then seven more minutes replacing the flat rear left tyre and damaged rear hood. Ryan Cullen, Alex Brundle and Will Owen finished the race in 19th place overall and 14th in the LMP2 class. "After those problems, we just needed to take the car to the chequered flag. There was no way to make up the time lost. So we made certain to avoid future setbacks and cross the finish line. It was a difficult race," explained Brundle.
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, SUNDAY 16 JUNE 2019, RACE. The #22 Ligier JS 217-Gibson of American team United Autosports driven by Phil Hanson, Filipe Albuquerque and Paul di Resta.
