Reigning Asian LMP3 Champions in Late LMP2 Switch

One of United Autosports’ LMP3 crews for the 2018-19 Asian Le Mans Series has made a late switch to the LMP2 category ahead of the first race this month.

Reigning champions Guy Cosmo and Patrick Byrne – along with FIA World Endurance Championship racer Salih Yoluc – will co-drive a Ligier JS P2 Nissan instead of the Ligier JS P3 Nissan they were originally confirmed in.

The move means United Autosports has completed its pair of LMP2 driver lineups ahead of the new season, which gets underway at Shanghai on November 25.

Phil Hanson and ex-Formula 1 driver Paul di Resta were confirmed behind the wheel of the first Ligier JSP2 Nissan last month.

The UK-based team will announce the lineup of its second LMP3 car “shortly”.

“I am so excited to be stepping up to LMP2 for the Asian Le Mans Series,” said Cosmo, who is the only driver in the trio with previous LMP2 experience.

“LMP2 is where my heart truly lies so when the opportunity became available within our already confirmed plans for Asia with United it was hard not to encourage all involved to make the step up.

“After winning the LMP3 Championship with Patrick last year this is the perfect natural progression for us within the ACO family and continue our plan to one day compete in LMP2 at Le Mans.

“I can’t thank our sponsors, partners and United Autosports enough for this opportunity.”

Cosmo’s prior time in the LMP2 class came in the American Le Mans Series, where he won races with Barazi-Kruze Motorsport in a Courage C65 and Extreme Speed Motorsports in an Acura ARX-03b.

Byrne and Yoluc, meanwhile, have yet to sample the JS P2 package.

“Moving Guy, Patrick and Salih up to the LMP2 team made sense for us,” said United managing director Richard Dean.

“As reigning LMP3 champions they are perfectly placed to make the step up. I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on.”