McLaren “very proud and grateful” for its inclusion on the WEC grid

McLaren back in the upper echelons of theEndurance, it is now confirmed. The British manufacturer will field two 720S GT3 Evos in WEC next year, in the LMGT3 category. Two mounts operated by the United Autosports team. This arrival was made official this Monday with the announcement of the entry list for the 2024 season of the World Endurance Championship.

Absent from the Hypercar category, McLaren's candidacy certainly seemed solid, with the support of United Autosports, but not certain. Today, relief and pride predominate. “We are very proud and grateful to see the confirmation of the two WEC entries for United Autosports and McLaren, said Richard Dean, CEO of United Autosports. Proud to represent McLaren in a world championship and, of course, for their return to 24 Hours of Le Mans. We are grateful because we know that the success of the WEC has increased the demand for places on the grid. »

It's confirmed – there will be two McLarens on the @FIAWEC grid in 2024 with racing partner @unitedautosports 👊 there are so many great races coming up in the eight-round calendar, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Can't wait to see it, keep up the hard work guys! pic.twitter.com/3W5N1neTDT

- Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) November 27, 2023

Two symbolic numbers for McLaren

McLaren will also make its return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 29 years after its victory in La Sarthe with the McLaren F1 GTR. This heritage will be showcased in the 2024 campaign, with one car adorned with the No. 59 honoring the No. 1 McLaren F59 GTR that won 29 years ago, and the other bearing the No. 95 marking the year of that victory. history, 1995. United Autosports also won the Le Mans classic, in the LM P2 category in 2020.

“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 in an extremely competitive LMGT3 class, rejoiced Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren Automotive. This will be a very exciting and extremely close season between the teams, which is why we have appointed United Autosports as our partner. This team has an excellent reputation in endurance racing, and I look forward to our return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. »

The first two drivers are already known: McLaren and United Autosports will run Grégoire Saucy in n°59 et Marino Sato in #95.

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