Today, the realisation of an exciting collaboration between McLaren Automotive and United Autosports, with the news that two places on the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 grid have officially been secured (see entry list).
McLaren Automotive and United Autosports - FIA World Endurance Championship
United Autosports, the world-famous manufacturer’s officially nominated team in the brand new and over-subscribed LMGT3 class, will proudly prepare and operate two 720S GT3 EVOs under the British flag in the extended eight-round FIA WEC season.
“We are very proud and grateful to see the confirmation of the two WEC entries for United Autosports and McLaren,” says United Autosports CEO Richard Dean. “Proud to be representing McLaren in a World championship and of course for their return to the Le Mans 24 Hours, and grateful because we know the success of the WEC has increased demand for places on the grid.”
The challenge ahead will include the jewel in the crown - the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which both McLaren (1995) and United Autosports (2020) have previously won.
This Le Mans heritage will be ever-present in the 2024 campaign, with the #59 entry honouring the Le Mans-winning #59 McLaren F1 GTR and the #95 entry marking the year of the landmark victory (1995) achieved on McLaren’s Le Mans debut.
“We are delighted to have been confirmed for the 2024 WEC season and I would like to thank the Automobile Club de l’Ouest for our inclusion within a hugely competitive LMGT3 class,” says Michael Leiters, CEO, McLaren Automotive. “Motorsport is fundamental to our brand and we build our cars using technology from the race track to give them the supreme performance that our customers expect from a McLaren."
The GT class marks a new WEC venture for United Autosports, which has celebrated extended success over four consecutive seasons in the LMP2 sports-prototype category. At the recent 2023 season finale in Bahrain, the Yorkshire-based team signed off its LMP2 WEC programme with a total of 8 victories, 16 podiums, 11 pole positions and 18 front row starts from 27 full season races - and the record for the most pole positions achieved in one season. The McLaren 2024 entry means United maintains its presence in the WEC, dating back to 2019.
“It will be a very exciting season and extremely close between the teams,” continues Michael Leiters, “which is why we have nominated United Autosports as our racing partner. This team has an excellent reputation in the endurance racing arena.”
Competition for places on the LMGT3 grid was intense, with this announcement marking an exhilarating next step for the McLaren / United Autosports partnership. Founded in 2010 as a GT race team, United Autosports achieved success in top-line championships across the UK, Europe and America, fielding the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in a number of championships.
Most recently, in 2021, the Anglo-American team were crowned European GT4 Silver Team and Driver Champions after an epic return to the GT race scene with the McLaren 570S GT4 (read more).
“This is a show of faith from both the WEC and McLaren in our project,” says Richard Dean, “and we are determined to repay that faith with results on track.”
Testing is underway for the WEC-destined McLaren 720S GT3 EVOs - stay up to date on social @unitedautosports