Di Resta returns to defend Le Mans win 08 | 03 | 2021
BATHGATE’S PAUL DI RESTA will return to the Le Mans 24-Hours in August to defend the LMP2 title he won last year. The 34-year-old Scot will again pilot a United Autosports Oreca at the iconic French endurance race. (Related: Paul di Resta wins Le Mans 24-Hours LMP2)
Di Resta, who will lead Peugeot’s return to the World Endurance Championship in an all-new hypercar in 2022, will drive the United Autosports No23 car in a one-off appearance for the team this year, alongside two yet-to-be-named team-mates. (Related: Di Resta leads Peugeot return to Le Mans with hypercar)
“It’s great news to announce that we are going back to the 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours," former F1 racer Di Resta — who partnered team-mates, Portuguese racer Filipe Albuquerque and England’s Phil Hanson at Le Mans in 2020 — said.
”It’s nice to be part of that journey again and trying to retain the win that we got with Phil and Filipe last year. It’s obviously a different set up this year, but it’ll be interesting to see how it goes with my new team-mates when they are announced. (Related: Di Resta bags LMP2 pole position at LM24)
"I’m definitely looking forward to going racing again. LMP2 looks very strong once again and Le Mans is the best race in the world to get to grips with, so it can’t come soon enough. Till then I’ll be doing as much as I can to get integrated into the team again and with my new team-mates.
"I really appreciate the efforts from both Richard (Dean) and Zak (Brown, team co-owners) to get me back into it.”.
And Di Resta’s appointment was welcomed by Brown, who is also chief executive at McLaren Racing and oversees the company’s F1 team. (Related: Interview — Paul di Resta ready for Le Mans assault)
"It made sense to have Paul as part of our Le Mans team for 2021,” the American said. “After what he achieved last year alongside Phil and Filipe, it's great to see him back to defend that win."
United Autosports will enter three LMP2 cars in this year’s rescheduled Le Mans 24-Hours, which has moved from its traditional June date to August 21-22 due to Covid restrictions.
Related: Paul di Resta bags first WEC win
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Jim McGill