[h=2]Norris joins United Autosports for 2018 Rolex 24[/h] Thursday, 13 July 2017


Stephen Kilbey / Image by Gasperotti/LAT

McLaren-Honda Young Driver Lando Norris will make his sportscar racing debut with United Autosports at next January's Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, in the team's Ligier JS P217 prototype.
The 17-year-old is the second driver confirmed for United Autosports' 2017 Rolex 24 birth. The 2016 Mclaren Autosport BRDC Award winner will partner American racer Will Owen, who was announced by the team earlier this year. Owen currently competes with United Autosports in the European Le Mans Series LMP2 class, and won the opening round of the season at Silverstone.
"I'm looking forward to racing at Daytona – it will be an exciting one-off challenge competing in sportscars," Norris said. "The Rolex event and the Speedway track are both world famous. The experience will provide me with an opportunity to stay race sharp and physically fit during the winter, important elements for me heading in to the 2018 season, while at the same time having some fun in one of the world's greatest sportscar endurance races.
"The Ligier will be totally new for me, and the first car I've raced with a roof since a Ginetta in 2014 but I'm certain I'll adapt quickly. United Autosports has quickly made a name for itself in sportscars and so I'll be using its experience and Will's to help in my transformation from single-seaters."
Norris is currently taking on his first full season racing in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, and after 10 podium finishes, sits third in the points standings at the halfway mark of the season.
The 2018 running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona will begin on 27, and will once again open the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.