2016 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps race winner and 2022 Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 Champion Ben Hanley is hoping for a turn in the fortunes for the no22 United Autosports Oreca-Gibson as the series head to Belgium for the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
The British driver has teamed up with Gregoire Saucy and Manuel Maldonado at United Autosports this season. While the Anglo-Swiss-Venezuelan trio have finished in the top 10 in the first three races, luck has not always been on their side and the results in Barcelona, Le Castellet and Imola have not adequately reflected the pace they have shown on track.
We caught up with Ben Hanley to find out his thoughts on the first half of the 2025 ELMS season and the challenge he’ll face at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in two week’s time.
Q1: How would you summarise the first half of the ELMS season from your point of view, and what positives are you taking into the next race at Spa?
Ben Hanley: “The first half of the ELMS season has been a bit disappointing. We've had a couple of issues which have been out of our hands, which has substantially impacted our results. So hopefully, now we've got that bit of what seems to be a bad luck out the way, we can push on and get the results that we've deserved so far.”
Q2: The competition in the LMP2 category is very tough. How do you assess the level of the championship this year?
BH: “The competition in LMP2 has been tough for the last few years, but obviously, with each season that goes by, everyone's learning the cars more and more, and after seven years, everyone is very close on race pace, performance wise. So, it's really difficult to find that that extra bit to push you to the top.
“So, to get a good weekend everyone's got to be 110%. Pit stops, you know, car balancing the race, car balancing qualifying, drivers’ performance. It's super tough to stay at the front all weekend.”
Q3: Tell us a bit more about your teammates Gregoire Saucy and Manuel Maldonado ahead of this season? Have you raced with them before?
BH: “It's my first season racing with Gregoire and Manuel and, so far, it's been going pretty well, apart from the issues that we've had, which have been out of our hands.
“So as a group, we seem to be getting on really well and have a similar understanding on what we need from the car. So, we just need to put all our aspects together of the weekend, keep pushing for those for those podium finishes, and see where that can get us in the championship.”
Q4: Looking ahead to the next race in Belgium, what do you think of the circuit, and do you have a favourite corner or section?
BH: “Looking ahead to Spa. I don't really have a particular favourite corner. People always talk about Eau Rouge, etc, but it's just the whole track for me. It’s got a really nice flow to it and it's really rewarding when you put a lap together, especially in qualifying, for example, or, even in the race.
“Once you settle into your rhythm there, it's just a really cool track with undulation, long straights, tight corners. It's got a bit of everything.
“Like always, we're heading there to win the race and get back on the podium.”
