United Autosports’ Richard Dean says that his team is hoping to be considered for a role with a manufacturer for the LMDh prototype regulations.
The Anglo-American squad has been one of the frontrunners in the LMP2 scene for the last few years, winning championships in the WEC and ELMS, as well as scoring a marquee class win at the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans.
After being founded in 2009, the team initially raced GT cars and touring cars until 2016, when it stepped into LMP3 in the European Le Mans Series and won the title in its debut season. It has since grown into one of the top teams in LMP2.
Dean, team co-founder alongside McLaren CEO Zak Brown, says that he recognizes the available opportunity and is hoping to be considered for an LMDh opportunity.
“We’re an ambitious team and that ambition doesn’t just come from the personal goals of winning races and winning championships,” Dean told MotorsportWeek.com. “We’ve got ambitions to get opportunities to try to compete, be involved in the top category.
“It’s an exciting time for sports cars at the moment, it’s a big buzz around the paddock.”
“I think all the drivers are aware that there might be some factory drives available for the pro guys and equally, the teams are hoping that there might be an opportunity to work with a manufacturer.”
“We’re no different. If there is an opportunity there, we’d love to be considered.”
Dean points to United Autosports’ impressive resume in prototype racing, with championship success in the European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series and World Endurance Championship in LMP2 and LMP3 categories.
“We’re hoping that what we’ve done over the last couple of years or last three, four years, right from European Le Mans champions in LMP3 up to WEC last year and Le Mans – we’re hoping all of these things give us some stock, score us some points and credit towards consideration. Whether it happens or not is another thing.”
