Hanson, Albuquerque Return to United Autosports for 2020

Photo: United Autosports

Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque will return to United Autosports for the 2020 European Le Mans Series season, it has been announced.

The pairing join the previously confirmed Alex Brundle in the British squad’s two-car Oreca 07 Gibson effort in the LMP2 class.

Hanson finished fourth in the 2019 ELMS standings, with a win at Spa-Francorchamps to his and Albuquerque’s credit, with the Portuguese having missed the season-opener at Paul Ricard due to his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship commitments.

With Albuquerque now only confirmed for the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races with Action Express Racing in 2020, he is set to contest the full six-round ELMS schedule with United.

“It’s been a long campaign so far both in ELMS and WEC and I’m thrilled to be returning alongside my Portuguese teammate for my third full season of ELMS,” said Hanson.

“We showed what we were capable of during the second half of the 2019 season with a win in Spa and a second in Portimao so I can’t wait to be back in the racing seat and working towards more success.”

Albuquerque added: “It’s strange to imagine that I am going into my fourth straight year driving with United Autosports.

“In 2020 I will be able to make all the ELMS rounds as there are no clashing programmes, we will be driving an Oreca from the very first race and on top of that driving with Phil will be fantastic as I now consider him a friend along with being a very fast driver.

“Everything is just perfect. Our only goal is to win the ELMS championship.”

The 2020 ELMS program comes in addition to Hanson and Albuquerque’s 2019-20 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign with United, alongside Paul Di Resta, that currently stretches through the next year’s running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John