Alex Brundle gets LMP3 drive with United Autosports

Brundle, 25, will pilot one of the team's two Ligier JS P3 cars in the six-round series.

"I’m delighted to be joining United Autosports for the full and extended European Le Mans Series in 2016," the Briton said." I’ve admired the way they go racing for a long time and it’s going to be absolutely great to work with them on their new LMP3 programme.

"I have worked closely with Ligier in the past on their LMP2 programme and it is great to continue working with a Ligier chassis underneath me. The JS P3 will be new to me but I’m keen to get on top of it as quickly as possible and assist the team where I can. I’m sure this is the start of a great partnership."

Son of former F1 driver Martin Brundle, Alex graduated from junior single-seaters to sportscars in 2013.

He was LMP2 runner-up in both the WEC championship and the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race with OAK Racing in 2013 and then was part of the ART Grand Prix #99 squad that took fourth in the 2014 ELMS GTC standings.

"It’s great to have Alex on board for 2016 to lead the team in our debut in the ELMS," stated team chairman Zak Brown. "He’s got a strong racing history that will benefit both him and United heading into a new era for us all. His knowledge of LMP racing and the circuits on the ELMS calendar will stand us in good stead for the year ahead."

"[Alex] is fast and reliable and will bring a huge amount of knowledge of LMP racing to our team and we are looking forward to working with him on the development of our LMP3 programme," added managing director Richard Dean.

"We worked with Alex’s father Martin at the 2011 Rolex Daytona 24 when he finished fourth alongside Zak, Mark Blundell and Mark Patterson so this will be really interesting for us to also get to work with Alex for a full season."