ELMS – Filipe Albuquerque signs with United Autosports

Lined up at Le Mans in 2015 with Audi on the sidelines of its program ELMS with Jota Sport, Philip Albuquerque had played the entire 2016 season of WEC with RGR Sport, finishing second in the Drivers' standings in the LM P2 category with his teammates Bruno Senna and Ricardo Gonzalez.

As the RGR Sport structure is not returning to the world level this year, the Portuguese finally found refuge at United Autosports. The British team, winner in LM P3 in 2016 in ELMS, will aim to play the leading roles on the continental scene via the entry of a Ligier JS P217 LM P2.

Albuquerque will play alongside Will Owen and Hugo de Sadeleer. “They are a very experienced team, they won the LM P3 category last year, so they really know what they are doing, Albuquerque comments.

This year will be my third ELMS season. I've been close to winning before and I'm going to work hard to make that happen this year, especially as the season ends again in Portugal at a track I really love.

I'm looking forward to working with two young drivers. I already know Will who rode with me in testing in Bahrain last year and he was very fast. It will be a challenge for him to learn all the tracks but I am sure I can guide him like we did in the Rookie Tests.

As for Hugo, he comes from Formula Renault, a series that I know very well, so it will be beneficial for him to already know all the tracks. He will have to face all the pitfalls of an endurance race, but I am convinced that he will do very well.

I am optimistic about our Ligier JS P217 chassis. I've already done some testing and development. Of course there will be plenty of competition, but I think Ligier has done a great job on this car. »

If Owen and de Sadeleer are also confirmed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the identity of the third pilot remains to be confirmed. United Autosports is scheduled to test this weekend at Portimao in Portugal.