Boyd, England, Patterson Return to United Autosports in LMP3

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Reigning European Le Mans Series LMP3 champion Christian England will return to United Autosports in 2017, alongside Wayne Boyd and Mark Patterson.

Boyd and Patterson, along with Matt Bell, took the No. 3 Ligier JS P3 Nissan to fourth place in the 2016 championship while England teamed up with Alex Brundle and Mike Guasch in the championship-winning No. 2 Ligier.

“It feels like it’s been a very long winter off-season and I’m delighted to be returning to United Autosports for 2017,” commented England. “Last year was such a phenomenal year for everyone involved and I can’t wait to try and help contribute to another European title.

“I’m really looking forward to racing alongside Mark and Wayne. There was such a good inter-team friendship and rivalry from last year – we all get along great and this year will be no exception.”

Added Boyd: “I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Mark and United again for 2017, and to be racing with Christian instead of against him!

“Driving alongside Mark again will be a pleasure – his pace is always very strong and he doesn’t make mistakes. We had a lot of bad luck last season but we had the pace to be on the podium every round so the championship will definitely be our aim.”

The trio join the previously-announced John Falb and Sean Rayhall, who will share the team’s other ELMS LMP3 entry, and who raced with Graff in 2016.

Enzo Potilicchio was previously announced as the third driver in that car, but the team has since decided to run a two-driver entry.

“I’m so pleased Christian, Mark and Wayne are returning to the team for 2017,” said team owner and managing director Richard Dean. “Mark has been with us a long time and Wayne more than proved his pace this year.

“Christian, as our returning champion knows what it takes to win the championship so I firmly believe as a driver combination, they will be winning races next year and will be in with a chance of the championship.”

Jake Kilshaw

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