In 1995, a McLaren F1 GTR clinched an unanticipated victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, outpacing multiple high-speed sports prototypes and etching its name into the annals of history.
McLaren has announced its intentions to make a comeback to the Le Mans endurance race, this time fielding its 720S GT3 Evo. Revealed last Friday, the carmaker stated that it aims to be competition-ready for the 2024 World Endurance Championship, an event whose pinnacle is the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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In this endeavor, McLaren will collaborate with United Autosports, a racing team co-established by Zak Brown, who is presently the CEO of the McLaren F1 team. United Autosports was inaugurated in 2009 and has been a participant in the World Endurance Championship for several years, primarily racing in the LMP2 category. The team’s most notable achievement at Le Mans consists of a fifth-place finish overall and a first-place finish in its class.
United Autosports’ application to participate in the 2024 World Endurance Championship is yet to be approved, as noted by McLaren. The organizers of the LMGT3 class are capping the number of entries to encourage a broader diversity of teams and vehicles.
The 720S GT3 Evo that McLaren intends to field was unveiled earlier this year. This race car is an evolution of the earlier 720S model and features enhancements in aerodynamic efficiency and suspension compared to the original 720S GT3. The power unit is a refined version of the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine that resides in the 720S. Unlike the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission in the road variant, the race car is equipped with a 6-speed sequential gearbox.
As McLaren focuses on competing in the LMGT3 category within the World Endurance Championship, it will face competition from marquee names like Ferrari and Porsche. Furthermore, Aston Martin plans to enter the fray in 2025, and Lamborghini is set to join the competition in 2024, both in the elite Hypercar class, featuring either LMDh or LMH racing machines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about McLaren Le Mans Return
What year did McLaren last win the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
McLaren last secured a victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 with its F1 GTR model.
Which car does McLaren plan to enter in its return to Le Mans?
McLaren plans to make its return to the Le Mans race with its 720S GT3 Evo.
When does McLaren aim to compete in the World Endurance Championship?
McLaren aims to be ready for competition in the 2024 World Endurance Championship, of which the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a key event.
Who is McLaren’s partner for its Le Mans return?
McLaren will be partnering with United Autosports for its Le Mans entry. United Autosports was co-founded by Zak Brown, the current CEO of the McLaren F1 team.
What class does McLaren intend to compete in?
McLaren aims to compete in the LMGT3 class of the World Endurance Championship.
What are the modifications in the 720S GT3 Evo compared to the original 720S GT3?
The 720S GT3 Evo features improvements in aerodynamic efficiency and suspension over the original 720S GT3. It also has a modified twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine and is equipped with a 6-speed sequential transmission.
Who are McLaren’s main competitors in the World Endurance Championship?
McLaren will face competition from established names like Ferrari and Porsche in the World Endurance Championship. Additionally, Aston Martin is expected to compete from 2025 and Lamborghini from 2024.
Is United Autosports’ entry confirmed for the 2024 World Endurance Championship?
United Autosports’ application for participation in the 2024 World Endurance Championship is still pending, as noted by McLaren.
Are there any limitations on the number of teams in the LMGT3 class?
Yes, the organizers of the LMGT3 class are limiting the number of entries to promote a greater diversity of teams and cars.
More about McLaren Le Mans Return
- McLaren’s Official Announcement on Le Mans Return
- United Autosports Team Profile
- 2024 World Endurance Championship Schedule
- History of McLaren in Motorsports
- Overview of 720S GT3 Evo Features
- LMGT3 Class Rules and Regulations
- Previous Le Mans Winners and Records
- Profile of Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren F1 Team
- Competitors in the World Endurance Championship
5 comments
Interesting to see McLaren partnering with United Autosports. Zak Brown’s involvement makes this even more intriguing. Is this a strategic move or what?
About time McLaren returned to Le Mans! They dominated back in ’95. But now with Ferrari, Porsche, and soon Aston Martin, competition is gonna be fierce.
Loved the F1 GTR, one of the best moments in Le Mans history. Hope the 720S GT3 Evo lives up to the legacy.
The aerodynamic improvements on the 720S GT3 Evo sounds promising. Wonder how much of a difference it’ll actually make on the track.
Wow, cant believe McLaren is going back to Le Mans. The F1 GTR is like, legendary! This is gonna be epic.