Garnet Patterson, Michael Birch, Wayne Boyd - United Autosports racing drivers - European Le Mans Series LMGT3 2025
Later this month, United Autosports, racing partner of McLaren Automotive in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), will make its debut in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) LMGT3 class with the #23 McLaren GT3 EVO - and today, Michael Birch, Garnet Patterson and Wayne Boyd are revealed as the full-season driver line-up.
The new ELMS entry follows United Autosports’ podium-placing 2025 LMGT3 season opener in the WEC (read more) where the team has fast become a competitive force on the world stage.
“It is very exciting to see our new LMGT3 programme in the European Le Mans Series coming together,” says Richard Dean, United Autosports CEO. “We have learnt an incredible amount about the McLaren over the past 18 months, which means we are building on solid foundations for our ELMS LMGT3 debut. I think that Michael [Birch], Garnet [Patterson] and Wayne [Boyd] will make a fantastic team, and I look forward to seeing them in action together in Barcelona.”
Michael Birch is a multi-race winning historic driver, with three Le Mans Classic victories (2023) and a further Le Mans Classic podium (2022) to his name. The FIA Bronze-graded driver’s most recent historic racing success came at the 2025 Qatar Classic Challenge – on the same weekend as the WEC Qatar 1812Km – with the Briton taking first in class in Race 1 and third in class in Race 2 in his 1971 Chevron B19.
Michael Birch - United Autosports racing driver - 2025 European Le Mans Series LMGT3 class
Birch also owns and races a Ligier JSP2-17, winning the LMP2 class at the 2024 Grand Prix de France Historique. The upcoming 4 Hours of Barcelona will mark a fresh challenge for the 56-year-old, as he takes on the McLaren GT3 EVO.
“I’m really excited to be racing with United Autosports in ELMS this season,” says Birch. “Richard [Dean] has a fantastic team running the car, and I’m looking forward to sharing the drive with Wayne [Boyd] and Garnet [Patterson]. The McLaren LMGT3 has proven its competitiveness in WEC so we’re aiming to repeat its success in ELMS!”
FIA Gold-rated driver Wayne Boyd is coming home in 2025, returning to United Autosports for his ninth season with the team - with last year marking the first time the 2020 ELMS LMP3 champion didn’t appear on the team’s driver roster.
Wayne Boyd - United Autosports racing driver - 2025 European Le Mans Series LMGT3 class
34-year-old Boyd, who lives in County Antrim in Northern Ireland, raced the Ferrari 296 GT3 at the 2024 Gulf 12 Hours - just missing out on the podium with a solid fourth-place finish - and is now gearing up for a successful debut season in the McLaren GT3 EVO.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be back with United Autosports,” says Boyd. “Driving the McLaren for such a successful team in a high-level series is incredible. I firmly believe Michael [Birch], Garnet [Patterson] and I will be a super strong line up and we’ll be fighting for the championship. Thank you to the team for having me, I can’t wait to get going.”
Garnet Patterson will take the FIA Silver-graded seat in the #23 McLaren GT3 EVO, bringing his race-winning experience in GT World Challenge Australia GT3 Pro/Am to the party. The 30-year-old Aussie first joined United Autosports for the 2022 Michelin Le Mans Cup, celebrating his first podium finish with the team at the Imola Round and then, the following season, a podium finish in the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi.
Garnet Patterson - United Autosports racing driver - 2025 European Le Mans Series LMGT3 class
Most recently, Patterson made a one-off appearance with United Autosports USA at the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona, with the #2 crew instantly establishing themselves as contenders for the esteemed win before an unavoidable incident sadly brought their charge to a halt (read more).
“I'm so excited to be racing the McLaren in the European Le Mans Series with United Autosports," says Patterson. "After starting the year in LMP2 at Daytona, it’s fantastic to continue with the team as I transition to LMGT3 in McLaren’s first ELMS season in many years. The team has worked incredibly hard throughout the past WEC season, and I think that effort was evident in Qatar. Alongside Michael [Birch] and Wayne [Boyd], we’ll be giving it our all to secure the best results for the team. I’m looking forward to Barcelona!”
The first round of the 2025 ELMS season is fast approaching, with the Official Prologue firing into action on Monday 31st March followed by the 4 Hours of Barcelona on Sunday 6th April.
First, however, it’s the 12 Hours of Sebring - round two of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship - in Florida. Stay up to date with the team on social @unitedautosports.