McLaren is making a bid to return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with United Autosports

The winner of the 1995 French enduro announced his intention to take part in replacing the GTE Am category and nominated United, co-owned by McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown, as his representative.

The Anglo-American team, which won the LMP2 class at Le Mans in 2020 and won the WEC title in the 2019-20 season, has informed series organizers the FIA ​​and Automobilklub of its intention to race two McLaren 720S EVOs in the 2024 series. de l’Ouest.

His application will be considered by the FIA/ACO selection committee after the entry deadline in November.

McLaren won Le Mans on its debut in 1995 in an F1 GTR, which remained part of the grid in short and then long form until 1998.

PLUS: How McLaren conquered Le Mans with a car that wasn’t intended for racing

The return to 24-hour racing and entry into the WEC has been facilitated by the adoption of the FIA’s GT3 class as a replacement for the GTE rules.

If entries are accepted, it means United will maintain a presence in the WEC dating back to 2019-20, when it won the LMP2 class at its first attempt.

McLaren won on its debut at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans

United’s involvement in the full series looked set to end with the demise of P2 at the end of this season.

The team has previously run McLaren – fielding the MP4-12C GT3 in multiple championships, including the Blancpain Endurance Series and British GT from 2012 to 2014, and won the European GT4 Series in 2021 with the 570S.

Michael Leiters, head of McLaren Automotive, said: “Motorsport remains a fundamental part of McLaren’s future performance strategy and we have long viewed the WEC as a natural place to demonstrate the capabilities of our cars.

“This includes a return to Le Mans, which is integral to our continued success in motorsport.

“We have selected United Autosports, which we believe shares our passion for GT endurance racing as well as the McLaren brand and, like McLaren, has a history of success.

“We hope that United’s entries will be accepted and we look forward to racing against our rivals in the WEC from 2024.”

United boss Richard Dean said: “This is a very important project for McLaren on its return to Le Mans, so we are extremely proud to have been selected as the team to represent McLaren in LMGT3.

“United’s experience at Le Mans and the WEC will be invaluable, but we know it’s a really competitive place and we’re ready for the challenge.”

Richard Dean, United Autosport

Photo: JEP / Motorsport Images

The competition for starting places in LMGT3 will be fierce, and WEC bosses promise priority to manufacturers represented in the Hypercar class.

This means that Ferrari, Porsche, BMW and Lamborghini, as well as Lexus and Chevrolet (sister brands of Toyota and Cadillac respectively) appear to have guaranteed spots on the grid upon request.

It seems that Aston Martin will be invited as a long-term WEC player and from 2025 as a participant in the Hypercar class, as will Ford with the new Mustang GT3, which was presented in June at Le Mans.

Producers will only receive two entries and will have to nominate a team to represent them.

It is unclear how many seats will be available in LMGT3 as the Hypercar class expands.

ACO chief Pierre Fillon said last month that the series was looking at ways to increase the number of cars throughout the season to as many as 40.

McLaren also outlined Hypercar racing aspirations with the LMDh prototype.

It is understood that his plans remain valid despite the lack of recent proclamations on the matter.