United Autosports at Le Mans: A Historic Moment?
Could this year’s Le Mans be the most significant event in United Autosports’ 15-year journey? Team leaders Richard Dean and Zak Brown have arrived in France, fully prepared for what promises to be an intense week.
A Strong Contingent
The team is fielding four entries across three of the four race classes, confident about their chances of securing trophies with each vehicle. In LMP2, they aim to defend their title after a dominant performance in the rain-soaked event last year, led by Oliver Jarvis and young American drivers Bijoy Garg and Nolan Siegel.
New Faces in the Lineup
This year, only Jarvis from the championship-winning crew returns, as he takes the wheel of a sister Pro/Am-entered car. The team now relies on newcomers Pietro Fittipaldi, David Heinemeier Hansson, and Renger van der Zande to lead this charge. Despite being new, they are expected to perform at the forefront of the category, with Fittipaldi and Hansson having past experience at Le Mans.
Aiming for Victory
Van der Zande expresses excitement about joining the team and feels prepared after a successful test at Spa. He emphasizes that United Autosports is the right place to be if they want to contend for the win. Meanwhile, the Pro/Am No. 23 car, which centers around Jarvis, is tasked with mentoring Le Mans rookie Daniel Schneider. The Brazilian driver aims to make a strong debut despite his limited experience in higher-category racing.
Setting Ambitious Goals
Jarvis believes the No. 23 trio can achieve great things if they can stay competitive. He acknowledges the increasing challenge in the LMP2 division but maintains that they have the potential to win overall. The primary aim is to secure the Pro/Am victory, but recent rule changes could allow a Pro/Am vehicle to contend for the outright win.
Commemorating McLaren’s Legacy
United Autosports also competes in the LMGT3 category, with added significance this year as they commemorate McLaren’s 30th anniversary of their historic win in 1995. James Cottingham, driving the Meningitis Research Foundation-liveried No. 59 GT3 Evo, is acutely aware of the pressure surrounding this legacy and sees it as a privilege to race this year.
Turning Around a Challenging Season
After a difficult start to the 2025 WEC season, United Autosports has struggled for consistency but holds hope in Le Mans with double points on the line. With the championship still wide open, there’s an opportunity to claim a strong position before the upcoming races. Speculation surrounds a McLaren press conference, likely to announce its new Hypercar program, with United Autosports positioned as a potential key partner for the initiative.
