Getting to know… United Autosports
As part of a regular “getting to know” series on FIAWEC.com, we spoke to several teams and drivers across the LMP and GT classes to find out a little bit more about the men behind the helmets.
Next up in our series are the current LMP2 category leaders United Autosports, below is what Paul Di Resta, Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque had to say in response to our questions.
What is your earliest memory?
Paul Di Resta: “When I was around two and half, I had the chicken pox and I remember getting calamine lotion put on”
Phil Hanson: “I can’t remember…”
Filipe Albuquerque: “Me neither!”
If you could invite three people (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would they be and why?
PDR: “Ayrton Senna because he’s a hero. Sean Connery – he is a living legend and he is from my homeland. Thirdly, Kevin Bridges for the entertainment value.”
PH: “My boys (school friends)”
FA: “I would invite Fangio and Ayrton Senna. Different eras of motorsport but they were still driving with four wheels and a steering wheel. I would like to know the inside stories.”
What’s your favourite food?
PDR: “Italian, I have great memories of my papa cooking it when I was younger. It’s still my go-to meal”
PH: “Sushi, but probably not something to have too often!”
FA: “I love Picanha and at the same time sushi”
If you could have one wish, what would it be?
PDR: “For the world to get back to normal from Covid19 and for people to stop getting ill. Keep the world heathy.”
PH: “For life to be twice as long.”
FA: “I wish for coronavirus to be over - it’s a hard time for everyone.”
Can you tell us something that we wouldn’t know about one of your team-mates?
PDR: “Filipe has lucky underwear!”
PH: “Filipe is the world’s most dangerous hire car driver!”
FA: “Paul actually laughs sometimes. Haha! But when Paul and I are arguing about something Phil stays quiet - like a good son of ours!”
If you could be a professional at any other sport what would it be and why? Similarly, if you could attend any sporting event in the world that you haven’t already been to, what would it be?
PDR: “Tennis, I don't play myself but have a lot of respect for the guys at the top watching them. The way they conduct themselves to be competitive and professional while being ambassadors of the sport is great, and they can play and practice each day. I would love to go to an Olympics, the Super Saturday at London 2012 was incredible to watch on TV.”
PH: “Downhill skier. Similar adrenaline to racing and one of my favourite sports. I would love to attend the Monaco Grand Prix as I still haven’t been yet but it’s definitely on my bucket list.”
FA: “I would like to be a professional tennis player. I love the game to play and it’s a fair game, no politics. I would like to watch a big match of American Football.”
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
PDR: “At the race track? Slipped on my bum on the podium while spraying champagne. Not sure the year but it was in DTM and it was at Hockenheim while getting my championship trophy.”
PH: “Staying out on track when the safety car and rest of the field came into the pits during a safety car in a MLMC race at Red Bull Ring in 2016. Not down to my incompetence but because of a miscommunication with the team radio.”
FA: “At scrutineering at Le Mans back in 2014. My team-mates and I were getting changed in the truck and at the exact time that I was in my underwear they started to open the rear door to take the car out. I had nowhere else to go! Several photographers here there to take pictures of the car but they saw me (and my team-mates) in underwear instead! It was my first Le Mans so I was very embarrassed by the whole situation.”
What’s your favourite film and favourite actor?
PDR: “James Bond, has to be Sean Connery.”
PH: "I can’t decide. That’s an impossible question."
FA: “There are a lot of movies that I like but one that inspires me is “300”. What I take from the movie is that doesn’t matter where you come from, how good the others are but if we believe in ourselves we will put in a good fight!”
Do you have any bad habits?
PDR: “Many - probably my OCD from being around race teams and track. Watching Richard Dean!”
PH: “No, I’m great in every way!”
FA: “Yes, for sure. I love gaming, it’s a bad habit but I enjoy it a lot at the moment. Keeping me busy but no-one is perfect!”
Finally, can you tell us a joke? (Keep it clean please!)
PDR: “Are they ever?!”
PH: “Too rude to tell in public!”
FA: “Why do they tell actors to break a leg? Because every play has a cast! - I am not very good at jokes, I keep forgetting them!”
