Di Resta, Hanson seal Asian Le Mans title at Sepang
Former Formula 1 driver Paul di Resta and Philip Hanson were crowned the 2018/19 Asian Le Mans champions following their fourth successive podium of the season in the Sepang finale.
The #22 United Autosports Ligier pair finished second in the opening two rounds of the season in Shanghai and Fuji, before clocking their maiden victory at Buriram in January.
The three-race podium streak meant they arrived in Malaysia 18 points clear of #24 Algarve Pro Ligier trio Harrison Newey, Andrea Pizzitola and Ate De Jong.
Di Resta and Hanson qualified second on the grid and soon found themselves in the lead when the pole-sitting #8 Spirit of Race Ligier was handed a drive through penalty for a jump-start.
The #24 Algarve Pro trio managed to jump di Resta and Hanson during the first safety car period, but a second place finish was enough for the United duo to clinch the title.
It marked di Resta’s third-ever championship triumph and first in any category since he claimed the 2010 DTM title with Mercedes.
Meanwhile, Jakub Smiechowski and Martin Hippe took the LMP3 crown with a victory at Sepang in the #13 Inter Europol Ligier.
GT class honours went to the #11 CarGuy Racing Ferrari of James Calado, Kei Cozzolino and Takeshi Kimura as the Japanese team successfully swept the season with four of four class wins.
United Autosports, Inter Europol and CarGuy Racing have all secured automatic entries for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours as a result of their title successes, with Inter Europol able to take up its invite in either LMP2 or GTE Am.
The fourth and final slot reserved for Asian Le Mans Series teams goes to ARC Bratislava for its title win in the Am subdivision of the LMP2 class with Darren Burke, Miro Kinopoka and Kang Ling.
Di Resta scores first Asian Le Mans win at Buriram
Cassidy to make prototype debut in Asian Le Mans Series
How Alpine is preparing its new LMDh car for 2024 WEC season
How Alpine is preparing its new LMDh car for 2024 WEC season How Alpine is preparing its new LMDh car for 2024 WEC season
Marquez: "Time will tell" if Honda MotoGP changes are enough
Marquez: "Time will tell" if Honda MotoGP changes are enough Marquez: "Time will tell" if Honda MotoGP changes are enough
How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle
How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle
Di Resta adds United Autosports IMSA drive to 2024 programme
Di Resta adds United Autosports IMSA drive to 2024 programme Di Resta adds United Autosports IMSA drive to 2024 programme
Di Resta hopes to stay at Peugeot for the rest of his career
Di Resta hopes to stay at Peugeot for the rest of his career Di Resta hopes to stay at Peugeot for the rest of his career
Why Kubica should race for Williams in Abu Dhabi
Why Kubica should race for Williams in Abu Dhabi Why Kubica should race for Williams in Abu Dhabi
Keating explains decision to bow out of WEC, join United in IMSA
Keating explains decision to bow out of WEC, join United in IMSA Keating explains decision to bow out of WEC, join United in IMSA
United Autosports explains freak issues that cost Le Mans LMP2 shot
United Autosports explains freak issues that cost Le Mans LMP2 shot United Autosports explains freak issues that cost Le Mans LMP2 shot
The Le Mans winner with claims to be motorsport's best privateer
The Le Mans winner with claims to be motorsport's best privateer The Le Mans winner with claims to be motorsport's best privateer
Tanak's WRC Rally Chile lead down to “hard work not luck”
Tanak's WRC Rally Chile lead down to “hard work not luck” Tanak's WRC Rally Chile lead down to “hard work not luck”
Aric Almirola earns pole position for Talladega Cup race
Aric Almirola earns pole position for Talladega Cup race Aric Almirola earns pole position for Talladega Cup race
WRC Chile: Tanak ends Saturday comfortably on top
WRC Chile: Tanak ends Saturday comfortably on top WRC Chile: Tanak ends Saturday comfortably on top
Nick Sanchez left bloodied in fight with Matt Crafton at Talladega
Nick Sanchez left bloodied in fight with Matt Crafton at Talladega Nick Sanchez left bloodied in fight with Matt Crafton at Talladega
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.