Blomqvist, Jarvis to Drive for United in LMP2 Next Year

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar DPi champions Tom Blomqvist and Oliver Jarvis will team up in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, driving for United Autosports in the LMP2 class.

The British pairing will share the No. 23 Oreca 07 Gibson with American teenager Josh Pierson, whose return to the United setup was announced back in June.

Blomqvist and Jarvis recently won the DPi title by taking victory in last weekend’s Motul Petit Le Mans decider alongside Helio Castroneves.

They also won the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona sharing Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 60 Acura ARX-05 with Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud.

Blomqvist is confirmed to drive for Meyer Shank next year when Acura introduces its new ARX-06 LMDh car, while his IMSA GTP co-driver is yet to be announced.

Two date clashes with the IMSA GTP schedule are likely to affect Blomqvist’s participation in the WEC rounds at Portimao and Monza.

Jarvis partnered Pierson for the 16-year-old’s WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans debuts with United this year, while Alex Lynn joined the pair for all rounds except Sebring.

However, Lynn’s confirmation as a member of Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing’s 2023 WEC squad in the Hypercar class precludes him from returning to the No. 23 Oreca.

“We are delighted to welcome Tom to our team for WEC 2023 and to have Olly stay with us for a second season cements a super strong lineup alongside Josh for next year,” said United Autosports team principal and co-owner Richard Dean.

“Tom and Olly have both had a tremendous season in IMSA this year, winning both the Daytona 24 Hours and Petit Le Mans and finishing the season as IMSA champions.

“They both have very successful Le Mans and WEC experience in LMP2 so we will [be] pushing hard to win back our WEC and Le Mans title next year.”

Blomqvist is set for a return to the WEC LMP2 class after finishing second in last year’s standings with his JOTA co-drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Sean Gelael.

Next season will mark the 28-year-old former BMW factory driver’s first spell with United, which won the 2019-20 LMP2 class title.

“I’m delighted to be joining United Autosports for the 2023 WEC campaign,” said Blomqvist.

“They have proven themselves as one of the top teams in the world of endurance racing and I’m thrilled to be working with all of the team.

“I had a successful year with Olly, winning the IMSA championship together, so teaming up with him and Josh makes for a really exciting lineup!

“It’s great to be back in the WEC paddock, returning to Le Mans and in the ultra-competitive LMP2 category – so big thanks to Zak and Richard for showing their trust in me.”

Jarvis, who is set for his fifth full-time program in WEC after prior spells with LMP1 entrant Audi and the JOTA-run Jackie Chan DC Racing LMP2 setup, added that he expects Blomqvist to be a “great addition” to the No. 23 crew.

“He and I have been teammates all year having just won the IMSA championship together, so it’s great to continue with him in WEC,” said Jarvis.

“The three of us together will be a force to be reckoned with, and I know all of us have the same goal – winning Le Mans and the overall championship.”

Pierson and Jarvis are currently second in the LMP2 standings, albeit 28 points away from the leaders, heading into next month’s 8 Hours of Bahrain season finale.