Hanson to Remain with United Alongside Albuquerque in ’23

Phil Hanson will continue with United Autosports for a fourth season in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year driving alongside Filipe Albuquerque.

United on Friday announced the retention of Hanson to its LMP2 driver lineup in the same car as Albuquerque, whose return was confirmed last week.

Hanson and Albuquerque won the 2019-20 WEC LMP2 title and the 2020 European Le Mans Series together with the Anglo-American team, and have remained co-drivers in the former competition ever since.

“I am very happy to announce my continuation with United Autosports for another season of WEC in 2023,” said Hanson.

“Together United and I have shared so much success throughout the last few years of my career and I am as confident as ever that we can challenge for another WEC title next year.

“Everyone involved is solely focused on winning.”

Hanson first drove for United Autosports at the 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona where he shared a Ligier JS P217 Gibson with current F1 stars Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris.

A full-time ELMS program also came that year, marking the British driver’s first spell working with Albuquerque, before a WEC program was added for the pair in 2019.

As an FIA Silver-rated driver Hanson won the WEC LMP2 title at the first attempt in a season that spanned two calendar years and culminated in a class victory at the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside his co-champion Albuquerque and Paul di Resta.

The now 23-year-old remained with United last year after being promoted to the FIA’s Gold ranking, although he and Albuquerque didn’t manage to defend their championship despite winning two races with Fabio Scherer.

They are currently in their third WEC season together, teaming up with Will Owen.

Hanson also still races in ELMS, but with different co-drivers while Albuquerque competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s DPi class.

“Securing Phil to our WEC team has been a priority for us,” said United Autosports co-owner Richard Dean.

“We have taken a lot of satisfaction watching Phil develop with our team into a true professional sportsman and the prolific winning racing driver he is today.

“We have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success together in LMP2, and we plan on continuing this winning partnership into 2023 and beyond.”

United has now made three signings for its two-car approach to next year’s WEC, with American teenager Josh Pierson also returning from its current driving roster.

“I’m delighted Phil will be competing for us again in 2023 which, like Filipe’s recent signing, shows the faith he has in United and our future prospects,” said co-owner Zak Brown.

“Next season marks Phil’s sixth consecutive year with us and he’s already won Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series and WEC titles with United – and he’s only recently turned 23. I’m certain there’s more success for him around the corner.”