United Autosports Clinches LMP2 Championship in Dramatic Turnaround
Portimão, Portugal – United Autosports secured its second European Le Mans Series (ELMS) LMP2 Championship, demonstrating a remarkable season turnaround from 2025 to 2026, where the #22 ORECA 07 – Gibson team finished 12th in the standings the previous year. This year’s performance included two victories and five podiums, culminating in a decisive title win, leading the standings by 27 points.
The addition of 18-year-old Australian driver Griffin Peebles, paired with veterans Ben Hanley and Gregoire Saucy, was pivotal. Peebles emerged as a standout, capturing the ‘Performance of the Year’ award and the LMP2 Goodyear Gold Wingfoot Award at the season’s end. His entry into LMP2 followed a successful stint in the Asian Le Mans Series, where he clinched victory in Abu Dhabi.
Throughout the ELMS season, the #22 ORECA excelled, with Peebles often handing over the car at the front, showcasing his ability in race management. He remarked, “Learning the racing in a different category… managing more traffic has been crucial.”
United Autosports began their campaign with a podium finish at the 4 Hours of Barcelona, followed by a victory at the Circuit Paul Ricard, which set the stage for their championship run. Peebles emphasized the importance of that win: “It was a great turning point for us.”
Entering the season finale at Portimão, the team maintained a 13-point lead, ensuring that a podium would secure the championship. They executed a flawless race, starting from pole position, with Saucy leading from the outset. Peebles described the experience: “We had a great car… I built a nice gap.”
After Peebles completed his stints, he watched from the garage, anxiously awaiting the outcome but confident in the team’s performance, stating, “The team executed perfectly.”
As Hanley crossed the finish line, Peebles expressed relief and elation: “It’s an amazing feeling!… We were very consistent and executed perfectly.” Looking ahead, he plans to return for another ELMS season and is considering longer races for more experience.
United Autosports’ 2026 season stands as a testament to resilience and strategy, promising exciting developments ahead.
