United Autosports Sign Juan Pablo Montoya for 24 Hours of Le Mans

Juan Pablo Montoya is the latest driver confirmed to be participating in the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans with Anglo-American outfit United Autosports.

It was confirmed this morning that for the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans, United Autosports would be adding Juan Pablo Montoya to their driver lineup. The Columbian will be making his Le Mans debut alongside team regulars Hugo de Sadeleer and Will Owen in the #32 Ligier JSP217.

Montoya comes into the team with a varied and impressive resume. His Formula One career saw him taking victories with Williams and McLaren, including the coveted Monaco Grand Prix in 2003. He is currently participating in his first full season of the IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship as part of Team Penske, the same team with whom he raced previously in IndyCar. During his IndyCar career, Montoya clocked up a second Indianapolis 500 win in 2015, he claimed his first back in 2000 on his first attempt of the iconic race.

With both Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 wins under his belt, Montoya is poised to attempt the 'Triple Crown' with United Autosports this year. The team finished 5th overall in their Le Mans debut last year and will no doubt be looking to improve on that with this year's two-car effort.

"I’m very excited about the opportunity to experience Le Mans and I’m looking forward to joining United Autosports after they had such a strong finish at Le Mans last year." Said Montoya in the United Autosports press release. "I’ve always watched the race so I’m very happy to finally be part of it. Hopefully we can have a shot at a win."

Team owner, Richard Dean said "I watched Juan Pablo race against us at Daytona this year and was so impressed by him through the traffic, he definitely hasn’t lost any of his speed or determination. He’s a great character so I have no doubt that he will fit into the team well at Le Mans. Although it will be his first Le Mans venture, he has a vast amount of racing experience, including wins at the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy 500, meaning this Le Mans venture could be a chance for him to win the triple crown of motorsport. Either way, I’m looking forward to welcoming Juan Pablo to the team."

Juan Pablo Montoya will join his teammates Hugo de Sadeleer and Will Owen in the #32 Ligier JSP217 for the 86th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday 16th June 2018. United Autosports will be running a second Ligier, with Filipe Albuquerque and Phil Hanson confirmed to drive so far.

This article was originally published on Overtake Motorsport.
Shared with permission from the author.
Cover Image: United Autosports