United Autosports have won the 2021 Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 Championship after the #23 crew of Wayne Boyd, Manuel Maldonado and Rory Penttinen won the final race of the series in Abu Dhabi.
The #23 crew of Wayne Boyd, Manuel Maldonado and Rory Penttinen won the race from second on the grid, marking their third visit to the top step of the podium in the championship, after a disappointing DNF in yesterday’s race.
United Autosports Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 championship win follows their record breaking year in 2020 where they won the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Le Mans 24 Hours and the European Le Mans Series in both LMP2 and LMP3. Over the course of the four race series, held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Autosports scored three wins, three pole positions and eight podiums.
Car #23
Race 1 Result: DNF
Race 2 Result: P1
LMP3 Champions
Manuel Maldonado:
“It’s amazing to get the championship and the win in the last race. It was a bit chaotic with the DNF yesterday making it a little bit harder. But I’m over the moon, the team have done a fantastic job. It has been amazing to share the car with Rory and Wayne over the last two weekends and to join United Autosports. I feel like I’m already part of the family so I can’t wait for the start of the European series. Massive thanks to Richard, Zak and United for giving me this opportunity. It was great to get the win to seal the championship.”
Wayne Boyd:
“What a day. My 50th race with United. A race win and the Asian Le Mans Series Championship win – it couldn’t have gone any better. A fantastic job by everyone. Both Rory and Manuel did great stints and the guys gave us a fantastic car – everyone played their part. Fantastic for United to have a podium lockout. It’s not very often you see that and it speaks volumes about the team. They’ve done a phenomenal job throughout this series and they always do. A huge thanks to everyone.”
Rory Penttinen:
“A super day. We did the job we needed to do today. I had a good start, but we had to contend with the safety car periods, but after that we led a lot of the race. Both Manuel and Wayne did the job and we came home with a win. We worked hard for it today. It’s super to have three wins out of four and the championship too. It’s my first championship win too so huge thank you to United Autosports, Richard and Zak. I’m really so happy. I hope I can come back and race with United Autosports again.”
Zak Brown:
“What a result today with the 1-2-3, the championship win and a championship second place. A great way to start the year following on from our awesome season in 2020. Very proud of the whole team today after a tough couple of weeks for them all. They certainly deserve this.”
Richard Dean:
“Winning the Asian Le Mans Series has rounded off an incredible 12 months for the team. I am super proud of all the drivers and all the team, including those who have been following back home. To finish the final race with a podium lockout is a testament the the professionalism of all involved.”
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