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Jarvis to Make Series Return with United LMP2 Drive

DPi driver Oliver Jarvis adds WEC program with United Autosports in LMP2…

Photo: Barry Cantrell/IMSA

Oliver Jarvis will return to full-time FIA World Endurance Championship competition next year after being confirmed in United Autosports’ LMP2 driver lineup.

The Brit is set for his first full-length WEC campaign since 2017, after four years with Mazda in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship DPi class.

Jarvis recently won Motul Petit Le Mans with Mazda Motorsports, in the final race for the Multimatic-supported factory operation.

He was then announced as a full-time driver of Meyer Shank Racing’s Acura ARX-05 DPi and will therefore run a dual program between IMSA and WEC in 2022.

Jarvis is teaming up with American teenager Josh Pierson for the WEC campaign with United, plus a third driver who is set to be announced later this week.

United is fielding a pair of Oreca 07 Gibsons for the first time next season, after previously concentrating on single-car entries.

“I am over the moon to be joining United Autosports and returning to race a full season in WEC for the first time since winning Le Mans [with JOTA] in 2017,” said Jarvis.

“Having raced with the team in Fuji in 2019, I know how great they are so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to race a full season with them.

“I am excited to be teaming up with Josh who will become the youngest ever driver to compete at Le Mans.

“Having tested with him, I have no doubt he’s more than up to the challenge and is a star of the future.

“I believe we have the capabilities to challenge for not only wins but also the championship, in what is set to be the most competitive season in LMP2 history.”

During his Mazda spell, Jarvis made two one-off WEC appearances in the 2019-20 season, driving for the Team LNT Ginetta LMP1 factory squad at Silverstone before suiting up for United at the following round at Fuji, as a stand-in for Paul di Resta.

United Autosports co-owner Richard Dean said that Jarvis will be the “perfect” driver to help guide 15-year-old Pierson through his first season in sports car racing.

“I have known Oliver for many years now and it’s a pleasure to have seen him grow into the brilliant racing driver he is today,” commented Dean.

“He had a taste of racing with us at Fuji, so I’m thrilled he has now joined us for a full season of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

“He is the perfect teammate for Josh and will be able to guide him during his first season in the WEC. I can’t wait for Sebring now.”

United co-owner Zak Brown added: “Oliver is one of the best endurance racers out there so having him as part of our team as we move to entering two cars in the WEC is a great move for the team.

“He will partner Josh brilliantly and after already having a successful test a few months ago, I’m sure they will be fully prepared come the opening round at Sebring in March.”

Daniel Lloyd is a UK-based reporter for Sportscar365, covering the FIA World Endurance Championship, Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, among other series.

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