Hanson Scores 4H Fuji Pole for United Autosports

Photo: MPS Agency

Phil Hanson put United Autosports’ No. 22 Ligier JS P2 Nissan on pole for the Four Hours of Fuji late in Saturday’s qualifying session.

He posted a lap time of 1:31.685 to go 0.335 seconds clear of second-placed Andrea Pizzitola, whose Algarve Racing Pro Ligier JS P2 Judd will start alongside the United car on the front row.

Hanson shares the No. 22 car with Paul Di Resta, while the Anglo-American team’s other LMP2 entry, driven by Guy Cosmo, Salih Yoluc and Patrick Byrne, will start from fourth.

It was the young Brit’s first ever LMP2 pole, coming in just his second qualifying session in the class.

Pipo Derani qualified the Spirit of Race Ligier in third after taking pole for the season-opening Four Hours of Shanghai two weeks ago.

Nigel Moore put Viper Niza Racing on pole in LMP3 with a time of 1:35.467 in the Ligier JS P3 Nissan which he shares with Douglas Khoo.

He went six-tenths clear of Garett Grist in the No. 2 United Autosports entry, while Ecurie Ecosse/Nielsen Racing completed the class’ top three.

James Calado took Car Guy to the top of the timesheets in GT, setting a fastest lap time of 1:37.852.

The Ferrari factory driver shares the 488 GT3 with Takeshi Kimura and Kei Cozzolino.

Spirit of Race’s Ferrari will start from second in class, while the pair of Tianshi Racing Team Audi R8 LMS GT3s will line up third and fourth.

The second round of the Asian Le Mans Series gets underway at 12 p.m. local time on Sunday.

RESULTS: Qualifying

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.