Panis Signs Former United Co-Drivers Van Uitert, Jamin

Former United Autosports co-drivers Job van Uitert and Nico Jamin have moved to Panis Racing for the French team’s European Le Mans Series entry in the LMP2 class.

The du will share an Oreca 07 Gibson with Julien Canal, who is the only retained member of Panis Racing’s 2021 driving squad.

Canal last year teamed up with Will Stevens, who has signed for JOTA in the FIA World Endurance Championship and Wayne Taylor Racing in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, and new G-Drive Racing recruit James Allen.

Van Uitert is set for his first season with Panis after contesting the 2019 ELMS with G-Drive before inking a deal with United Autosports for the team’s title defense last season.

Jamin, meanwhile, is returning to the Tech 1 Racing-supported operation for a second spell after one year with United.

Van Uitert and Jamin shared United’s No. 32 Oreca with Manuel Maldonado but had a challenging season in which they finished 12th in the points table. Their highest finish, and their only podium of the campaign, was third place in the 4 Hours of Le Castellet.

United Autosports is downscaling its ELMS involvement to a single car this year, to coincide with its expansion to a pair of LMP2 entries in the WEC.

Canal is set for his fifth season with Panis. The Silver-rated Frenchman helped the team to its first-ever ELMS race victory at the 4 Hours of Monza alongside Stevens and Allen, while the team finished third in the LMP2 championship standings.

“Sarah, Simon [Abadie] and I are very happy to have brought together those three drivers in the team for this 2022 season,” said team principal Olivier Panis.

“I am delighted that Julien still trusts us for the fifth consecutive year. We have experienced great things together. He is a sure value. He keeps progressing and had another fantastic season in 2021.

“We are thrilled as well to welcome Job van Uitert, one of the fastest drivers in the ELMS, with a great experience of endurance racing and a great team spirit reputation.

“As for Nico Jamin, whose level of performance and determination are already well known by Panis Racing: he is once again welcome in the family.

“We will do everything we can to optimize the collaboration between this trio in order to win races and the ELMS title.”