Aberdein Joins United’s Le Mans LMP2 Lineup

Former DTM driver Jonathan Aberdein will make his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut this summer, driving for United Autosports in the LMP2 category.

United announced on Wednesday that the 23-year-old South African, who represents the Anglo-American team in the European Le Mans Series, will team up with Nico Jamin and a third co-driver in the No. 32 Oreca 07 Gibson.

Aberdein and Jamin usually compete in different cars in the ELMS, with Aberdein running the full season in United’s No. 22 machine alongside Phil Hanson and Tom Gamble.

Aberdein made the switch to LMP2 this year after two seasons in the DTM, first with Audi squad Team WRT in 2019 and then with BMW Team RMR.

“As we all know Le Mans is something special,” he said. “It is a race that I have watched from my couch every year without fail for as long as I can remember.

“It is a real dream come true to be part of the race this year, especially with United Autosports.

“I’m really looking forward to taking on the challenge with Nico and our third co-driver. We will have a great driver line up and a fantastic team leading the way.”

United still has two driver slots to fill for its three-car Le Mans entry.

The team’s full-season WEC trio of Hanson, Fabio Scherer and Filipe Albuquerque will drive the No. 22 Oreca, while Paul di Resta and Alex Lynn are confirmed in the No. 23.

United won the Le Mans LMP2 class in 2020 with Hanson, Albuquerque and di Resta, and is also the reigning WEC and ELMS category champion.

“Making your Le Mans debut is something special, so I’m really pleased for Jonathan that he will get to experience that feeling this year,” said team co-owner Richard Dean.

“Although he has only been with the team since the start of the year, he has settled in well and picked up the workings of the LMP2 car very quickly.

“I’m sure he will work well with Nico and will benefit from Nico’s Le Mans experience.”