United Autosports To Field Three LMP2s in 2023 ELMS

Jim McGuire will join Guy Smith and Paul Di Resta in a second (of three) Oreca 07 effort in the 2023 European Le Mans Series LMP2 class.

McGuire and 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Guy Smith have raced together with United Autosports in IMSA over the past two years, scoring an LMP2 podium, while ex-Formula One racer Di Resta was in United’s class-winning ORECA at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020 – as well as winning the 2018/19 Asian Le Mans Series for the Zak Brown/Richard Dean-led squad.

Jim McGuire heads up the #23 Oreca O7 in his eighth consecutive season with United.  After six years contesting LMP3 in Europe (racing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup from 2017 and ELMS from 2020), the AERO chief steps up to LMP2 full time.

Former “Bentley Boy” Smith joins McGuire in the #23 ORECA, having made his United debut at Sebring in 2021. Guy and Jim have raced in five IMSA races for the team, collecting four top-five finishes including the Watkins Glen podium. Smith and McGuire also drove together in the “Road to Le Mans” event last year.

Di Resta made his United debut at the 2018 24 Hours of Daytona and has enjoyed a star-studded trajectory of success with the Yorkshire-based team. Having competed in the Asian LMS (six races, three wins, six podiums in the 2018-19 & 2022 seasons) and the FIA World Endurance Championship with United (12 races, five wins, seven podiums), Paul will team up with McGuire in next month’s four-race Asian Le Mans Series  before taking on the European championship.

The #23 entry joins the previously announced ELMS LMP2 Pro Am entry of Daniel Schneider, Nelson Piquet Jr and Andy Meyrick.

A third and final United LMP2 line-up will be announced in due course.

United are also set to confirm that they will not contest the LMP3 class in the ELMS in 2023.

Jim McGuire: “Super excited to step up to the LMP2 class in the European Le Mans Series with United Autosports. To have the chance to drive alongside two champions in Paul and Guy is a fantastic opportunity and I’m sure we’ll have a great year. I can’t wait to be back with the United team and get out on track – see you guys soon!”

Guy Smith: “Really looking forward to racing with United Autosports in the European Le Mans Series. I raced in the IMSA series with Jim and United over the past two seasons and thoroughly enjoyed my time with the team. Jim continues to develop and, from what we’ve seen in the US races, he shines in the LMP2 car. Paul is at the top of his game … I’ve known him for a long time but never driven with him, so I’m looking forward to that. Hopefully we can get some podiums in the prime class and try and fight for the championship.”

Paul Di Resta: “Really happy to be back with United Autosports, carrying on what we’re going to do at the Asian Le Mans Series in the European championship with Jim. Continuing the partnership, alongside my WEC duties, with United is an easy decision – it keeps me sharp, working to succeed as much as we can and hopefully, we’ll have some fun on the way. Thanks to Peugeot for giving me the opportunity to race with United – let’s make it a good 2023.”

Richard Dean: “Jim has become an integral part of our team; this will be our eighth-year racing together and we are sure to add more great moments on track and special memories. Jim, Guy and Paul are all great friends and great drivers and will be pushing hard for each other to get on the podium this year.”