American Josh Pierson Making History at 24 Hours of Le Mans

Win or lose this week, Josh Pierson will be etching his name in the 24 Hours of Le Mans record books.

When Pierson takes the wheel of the No. 23 United Autosports USA Oreca on Saturday during the 90th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Portland, Oregon native will become the youngest racer in the history of the race. Pierson will be 16 years, 188 days old on race day.

Matt McMurry, from Phoenix, set the record at 16 years, 202 days old when he raced at Le Mans in 2014. McMurry went on to become a two-time IMSA champion, winning overall season trophies in the LMP2 class in 2019 and the GTD class in 2020.

Pierson, who races full time in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship, got his first win of the weekend on Friday when Mercedes Racing CEO Zak Brown-led United Autosports USA announced that the team has re-signed Pierson for the 2023 WEC season.

“Super happy to be returning to United Autosports again in 2023,” Pierson said. “United feels like family and I have enjoyed every second spent with this incredible team. We will stay focused on the remainder of the 2022 season to achieve the best results possible. Looking forward to what the future has in store.”

Pierson, who was originally signed by United Autosports USA after the age of 15 following a successful test at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, has already started two WEC races this season, and he was on the winning team for the WEC debut at the 1000 Miles of Sebring in March. He's racing with teammates Alex Lynn and Oliver Jarvis at Le Mans.

"I’ve been a careful driver and when it comes to a test day I tend to be picking up the pace slowly from the first start, I’m not gonna be the quickest driver right on the spot," Pierson said in a published story on the official 24 Hours of Le Mans website. Starting at such a young age, I’ve been able to keep building confidence driving cars at a fast pace for my entire life.”

“I have two experienced teammates, so they’re able to share a lot of tricks and information. It’s surely a difficult form of racing to get into at a young age, but it’s very doable and if you listen properly to what your teammates are saying you can get to a very high level.”

United Autosports USA reserve and Former F1 driver Paul Di Resta has been a mentor to Pierson this week at Le Mans. The team qualified sixth in the LMP2 class.