United Autosports has officially confirmed Ben Hanley will replace Tom Blomqvist at the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Fuji, with Blomqvist occupied with Indycar duties.
Hanley will drive in the #23 United Autosports Oreca 07-Gibson LMP2 entry at next week’s 6 Hours of Fuji.
Blomqvist, the regular #23 driver, who will race for Meyer Shank Racing in the Indycar Series next year, will take over from a recovering Simon Pagenaud for the final two consecutive weekends of the 2023 Indycar season.
The latter of which is a round at Laguna Seca, and takes place on the same weekend as the World Endurance Championship Fuji race.
Hanley will join teammates Josh Pierson and Olly Jarvis for the sixth round on the 2023 WEC schedule.
He has already fulfilled a replacement role for the team earlier in the #22 car at the 6 Hours of Portimao and 6 Hours of Monza, when Filipe Albuquerque was occupied with IMSA commitments.
Hanley said: “I’m so excited to be back with the United Autosports team, and really looking forward to racing with Olly [Jarvis] and Josh [Pierson].
“Olly and I have raced each other a lot throughout our careers, from the karting days right through to this year’s ELMS and WEC.
“He’s coming off a great win at ELMS Aragon, so we’ll look to carry that momentum forward.
“Together with Josh [Pierson], who burst onto the scene with his win in Sebring last year and is now on his second year in the WEC, it’s certainly a solid line-up.”
“It’s great to be able to call on Ben for this very important WEC race for the #23 car and for the team,” added United Autosports CEO Richard Dean.
“Ben has been on top form when he’s raced with us in Portimão and Monza, so I have no doubt he can enable us to challenge for the win in Fuji.
“At the same time, we will be keeping an eye on the Indycar race in Laguna Seca, and wishing Tom Blomqvist all the best of luck.”
The 6 Hours of Fuji will take place on 10 September next week.
