McLaren Sets Sights on World Endurance Championship Glory with United Autosports Alliance

In a thrilling update for motorsport enthusiasts, McLaren Automotive has officially announced its plans to take on the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) starting in the 2024 season. This ambitious venture, marking a significant milestone in McLaren's storied motorsport history, will see the brand fielding two of its formidable 720S GT3 EVO cars in collaboration with United Autosports in the newly formed LMGT3 class.

As McLaren celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023, this move reaffirms its deep-rooted connection with the racing world. The journey began with the McLaren M1 sports racing car, developed in partnership with Elva Sportscars, and now reaches a new zenith with this latest announcement.

McLaren's storied return to sportscar racing in the 1990s, underscored by the iconic F1 GTR, set the stage for this new era. The F1 GTR's crowning achievement came in 1995 with a historic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, contributing to McLaren's unique achievement of the motorsport Triple Crown. The company also supported customer teams like David Price Racing and GTC Competition, both of whom found success in the BPR Global Endurance Series and the FIA GT World Championship.

United Autosports, McLaren's chosen partner for this endeavor, boasts an impressive pedigree in sportscar and GT racing. Since its inception in 2010, the Yorkshire-based team has clinched several championship victories, including the WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours in 2020. Their roster of alumni includes renowned drivers like Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, and Juan Pablo Montoya, further solidifying their racing prowess.

Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren Automotive, emphasizes that motorsport is pivotal to McLaren's performance strategy. The WEC, particularly the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is integral to McLaren's rich motorsport heritage and its unique Triple Crown achievement. The partnership with United Autosports, a team sharing McLaren's passion for endurance GT racing and a similar winning history, is a strategic move towards achieving glory in the WEC.

As United Autosports prepares to field the two McLaren 720S GT3 EVOs in the 2024 WEC, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting chapter in McLaren's racing legacy. Fans and rivals alike eagerly await McLaren's return to the endurance racing arena, where the brand seeks to add new triumphs to its illustrious history.