2018 ELMS LMP3 Champion Job Van Uitert is embarking on a new challenge with a move from United Autosports to Panis Racing for the 2022 European Le Mans Series.
The 23-year-old Dutch driver has been close to winning the LMP2 title, finishing 2ndin 2019 with G-Drive Racing and 2ndagain in 2020 with United Autosports.
Van Uitert will join his 2021 teammate Nicolas Jamin and 2015/2017 FIA WEC LMP2 Champion Julien Canal behind the wheel of the Panis Racing Oreca 07-Gibson, with the French team run by former F1 race winner Olivier Panis looking to improve on their 3rdplace overall in the LMP2 team standings last year.
We caught up with Job Van Uitert for his thoughts ahead of the 2022 season.
Q: What were the highs and lows of your 2021 season?
JVU: “2021 was rollercoaster year for me. A tough year in the ELMS, but very successful in WEC. Winning the Pro/Am championship with Racing Team Netherlands and finishing on the podium at Le Mans were unforgettable moments in my career. With United Autosport we showed great pace in all of the ELMS races, but we never managed to convert it into a good result.”
Q: You are competing this season with Panis Racing alongside Julien Canal and Nicolas Jamin. You raced with Nicolas last season at United Autosports, how well do you know Julien and tell us about your new team?
JVU: “I know Julien a bit. I’ve raced in ELMS for four seasons now and during all the meetings you get to know most of the drivers pretty well. Julien is very experienced driver and also has a great personality. I’m verry happy with the work we’ve done so far with Panis Racing. They are very professional and have made me feel right at home!”
Q: The LMP2 grid for the 2022 season is looking very strong once again. Who do you see as your main rivals this year and what are your goals for the upcoming season?
JVU: “The competition is strong this season, with some new teams who might surprise us, like Prema. Both Cool Racing and United have very strong line-ups, so I’m sure they will be competitive. However, our goal remains unchanged and that is to win the championship. We are not settling for anything else.”
Q: Looking ahead to the ELMS season, which is your favourite track on the calendar and why?
JVU: “I’m really looking forward to going back to Imola! It’s been a long time since I last raced there, which was in 2017 with Italian Formula 4. It will be a challenge with the traffic there but the track has a great flow, so I’m sure it will be an exciting race!”
The 23-year-old Dutch driver has been close to winning the LMP2 title, finishing 2ndin 2019 with G-Drive Racing and 2ndagain in 2020 with United Autosports.
Van Uitert will join his 2021 teammate Nicolas Jamin and 2015/2017 FIA WEC LMP2 Champion Julien Canal behind the wheel of the Panis Racing Oreca 07-Gibson, with the French team run by former F1 race winner Olivier Panis looking to improve on their 3rdplace overall in the LMP2 team standings last year.
We caught up with Job Van Uitert for his thoughts ahead of the 2022 season.
Q: What were the highs and lows of your 2021 season?
JVU: “2021 was rollercoaster year for me. A tough year in the ELMS, but very successful in WEC. Winning the Pro/Am championship with Racing Team Netherlands and finishing on the podium at Le Mans were unforgettable moments in my career. With United Autosport we showed great pace in all of the ELMS races, but we never managed to convert it into a good result.”
Q: You are competing this season with Panis Racing alongside Julien Canal and Nicolas Jamin. You raced with Nicolas last season at United Autosports, how well do you know Julien and tell us about your new team?
JVU: “I know Julien a bit. I’ve raced in ELMS for four seasons now and during all the meetings you get to know most of the drivers pretty well. Julien is very experienced driver and also has a great personality. I’m verry happy with the work we’ve done so far with Panis Racing. They are very professional and have made me feel right at home!”
Q: The LMP2 grid for the 2022 season is looking very strong once again. Who do you see as your main rivals this year and what are your goals for the upcoming season?
JVU: “The competition is strong this season, with some new teams who might surprise us, like Prema. Both Cool Racing and United have very strong line-ups, so I’m sure they will be competitive. However, our goal remains unchanged and that is to win the championship. We are not settling for anything else.”
Q: Looking ahead to the ELMS season, which is your favourite track on the calendar and why?
JVU: “I’m really looking forward to going back to Imola! It’s been a long time since I last raced there, which was in 2017 with Italian Formula 4. It will be a challenge with the traffic there but the track has a great flow, so I’m sure it will be an exciting race!”
