United Autosports Prepares for Rolex 24 at Daytona
Daytona International Speedway – United Autosports USA is set to compete in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, aiming for consecutive victories in the LMP2 class. Their #22 ORECA 07 – Gibson triumphed last year, albeit under controversial circumstances, after a post-race penalty for excessive skid block wear left them as the surprising winners.
Managing Director Max Gregory reflected on the controversial victory, noting, “We ended up celebrating it at Sebring… but the aim this weekend is to win it on track.” Returning drivers for the #22 car include Daniel Goldberg, Paul di Resta, and Rasmus Lindh, alongside new member Grégoire Saucy.
Goldberg, now in his third year with United, had a standout season last year, winning twice before a suspension failure derailed his championship hopes. Gregory praised Goldberg: “He’s taken a lot of learning… focusing on getting the best out of himself.”
In addition to driver changes, the team has appointed Scott Hecker as the new race engineer, tasked with maximizing performance in the highly competitive LMP2 field, which saw only 0.393 seconds separate the top 11 cars during last weekend’s Roar Before The 24.
The #2 ORECA will see Phil Fayer, making his Rolex 24 debut, share driving duties with Ben Hanley, Mikkel Jensen, and Hunter McElrea. Gregory acknowledged Fayer’s potential, stating, “He aims for the stars… it’s about focusing on the little bits that add up.”
The #2 car struggled last season, missing the podium, with a best result of fourth. Gregory is optimistic that Fayer’s consistent involvement will yield better results this year, emphasizing the importance of team stability.
Beyond the Rolex 24, 2026 is pivotal for United as they begin testing McLaren’s LMDh challenger ahead of its 2027 debut. Despite this commitment, Gregory confirmed, “We’re not going anywhere in LMP2,” reaffirming their long-term investment in the category.
With preparations underway, United Autosports aims to not only defend their title but solidify their position in the LMP2 landscape for years to come.
