Paul di Resta heads to Le Mans with United Autosports

©UnitedAutosports

As expected, former F1 driver Paul di Resta will join United Autosports LMP2 line-up for the the Le Mans 25 Hours which takes place on June 16-17.

Di Resta, who was Williams' reserve driver last season and substituted for Felipe Massa at the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix, raced for Zak Brown and Richard Dean's United squad at Daytona and Sebring earlier this year, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

The 31-year-old will make his debut in the French endurance classic in the team’s Ligier JS P217 alongside Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque.

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"It’s exciting news to be continuing the partnership with everyone at United and undertaking the Le Mans 24 Hours," said the Scot.

"It’s a race I’ve always looked at closely and now I’m getting the chance at the right time to have a go. It will be good to race alongside Phil again after the Sebring 12 Hours, which was a success and I’m excited to see how partnering Filipe goes.

"I’ve known him a long time and he is a credit to endurance racing.

"The task is to go and win and from what I’ve been told, that’s not too ambitious. We will do the best job possible to aim for that in the race."

United Autosports have had two Le Mans 24 Hours entries confirmed and will also be entering a Ligier JS P217 for Will Owen, Hugo de Sadeleer and Juan Pablo Montoya.

"I’m thrilled to have Paul join our Le Mans 24 Hours team," said Zak Brown.

"He has done a fantastic job racing in America for United Autosports and I know he will continue that onto Le Mans.

"He knows the car now so all he’s got to learn is the circuit, which I’m confident he will do quickly."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.