Owen Completes United Autosports LMP2 Lineup

United Autosports has completed its European Le Mans Series LMP2 driver lineup with the retention of American racer Will Owen.

The 24-year-old will return to the wheel of the team’s No. 32 Ligier JS P217 Gibson along with new additions Alex Brundle and Ryan Cullen.

Owen, who is set for his third straight season with United, partnered Wayne Boyd and Hugo de Sadeleer last year off the back of finishing second in the 2017 standings.

A full-season commitment with DPi squad Juncos Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship means he will be unavailable for the ELMS season-opener at Paul Ricard next month, because of a clash with the Long Beach IMSA round.

Owen previously suggested to Sportscar365 that a full-time ELMS program would be unlikely for 2019 following his confirmation as one of Juncos Racing’s main drivers for the 10-race IMSA season.

“At the beginning of the year, I was not looking for other driving opportunities given my commitment with Juncos, but after Daytona I realised again that any race laps I can get will continue to improve my pace and help me become the best driver I can be,” he said.

“Right now, I am more motivated than ever to put the time into that goal and re-joining a winning environment that I am comfortable with will provide more invaluable experience.”

United Autosports managing director Richard Dean added: “I’m so pleased that Will is going to be returning to the team for the 2019 season.

“After two successful and thoroughly enjoyable seasons, we all thought Portimao in 2018 was going to be Will’s final race with United, so it was great to go out with a podium there.

“We’ve kept in touch over the winter and this surprise opportunity to work out a deal for 2019 came quite late, however it feels like one of those ‘meant to be’ moments.”

All four of United’s ELMS driver lineups are now complete across the LMP2 and LMP3 categories.

The Anglo-American squad will run two Ligier JS P3 Nissans in the secondary prototype class alongside two Ligier LMP2s for the second season in a row.