Di Resta to make Le Mans 24 Hours debut

Ex-Formula 1 driver Paul di Resta will make his Le Mans debut later this year after being named in United Autosports' LMP2 line-up.

The former Force India and Williams driver is set to share the car with Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque after impressing with his first sportscar outings earlier this year.

Di Resta finished P4 at the Daytona 24 Hours in January before following up with a P5 finish at the Sebring 12 Hours.

“It’s exciting to be continuing the partnership with everyone at United and undertaking the Le Mans 24 Hours," Di Resta said.

"It’s a race I’ve always looked at closely and now I’m getting the chance at the right time to have a go. It will be good to race alongside Phil again after the Sebring 12 Hours, which was a success and I’m excited to see how partnering Filipe goes.

"I’ve known him a long time and he is a credit to endurance racing. The task is to go and win and from what I’ve been told, that’s not too ambitious. We will do the best job possible to aim for that in the race.”

United Autosports boss Zak Brown also welcomed Di Resta back to the team.

“I’m thrilled to have Paul join our Le Mans 24 Hours team," he said.

"He has done a fantastic job racing in America for United Autosports and I know he will continue that onto Le Mans.

"He knows the car now so all he’s got to learn is the circuit, which I’m confident he will do quickly.”

The French endurance classic takes place on 16-17 June.