McLaren to race at Le Mans with United Autosports

MANILA: McLaren Automotive will be returning to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the 2024 season with United Autosports.

The manufacturer’s nominated racing partner will compete in the LMGT3 class with two 720S GT3 EVO cars.

“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. 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,” McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer Michael Leiters stated.

“It will be a very exciting season and extremely close between the teams, which is why we have nominated United Autosports as our racing partner. This team has an excellent reputation in the endurance racing arena, and I look forward to our return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in which we will see 720S GT3 EVO cars in action,” he added.

To begin on March 2 in Qatar, the 2024 WEC will include the 24 Hours of Le Mans happening on June 15 to 16, where McLaren cars will compete for the first time since 1998.

McLaren will return to Le Mans 29 years after winning the race on its debut appearance to complete the “Triple Crown” of victories at Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500, and Monaco Grand Prix.

The participants will honor the historic debut with race numbers #59, the number of the winning F1 GT3, and #95, the year of the memorable victory.

Just like McLaren, United Autosports has also experienced triumph at Lemans, having won in the LMP2 class in 2020. The team has already started the 720S GT3 EVO test program as part of their preparations for the 2024 season.

“We are very proud and grateful to see the confirmation of the two WEC entries for United Autosports and McLaren; 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. This is a show of faith from both the WEC and McLaren in our project and we are determined to repay that faith with results on track,” United Autosports Chief Executive Officer Richard Dean said.

Aside from the two United Autosport cars, another 720S GT3 EVO will be used by customer racing team Inception Racing at the Le Mans.

Photos from McLaren Automotive

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