The McLaren GT3 EVO demonstrated front-running pace at the weekend’s (May 11) Six Hours of Spa FIA World Endurance Championship race, with the number 59 car – run by racing partner United Autosports – leading the LMGT3 class for a good part of the six-hour event.
The two GT3 EVO McLaren cars ran at the front of the field over the three Free Practice sessions and hopes for another strong qualifying performance were justified with both cars making it through to the Hyperpole top ten shoot out. Josh Caygill initially qualified the number 95 car second fastest, with James Cottingham fifth in the number 59 car. The 95 car, however, dropped to the rear of the field after being found marginally underweight, which promoted the 59 car to fourth place.
Cottingham made the most of this start in the 59 car, immediately making up places to run second in class for the majority of his stint. Slick pit work by the United Autosports team ensured both cars leapfrogged their rivals during the early pit stops and the number 59 car, now with Nicholas Costa taking the wheel, emerged as the leader of the LMGT3 class. After making solid progress through the field, Caygill handed the 95 cars to Nico Pinto from 11th place, but good strategy meant he soon climbed to fifth. Unfortunately, a gearbox issue would lead to the car stopping in the third hour of running.
Meanwhile, Costa was having a brilliant battle for the lead, which thrilled the 88,000-strong crowd at Spa-Francorchamps. With Grégoire Saucy taking the wheel for the final stint and quickly resuming the lead, hopes were high for a first WEC win for McLaren when a huge accident for one of the Cadillac Hypercars brought out the red flag, stopping the race.
After a delay of over an hour, the race restarted with one hour and 44 minutes left on the clock, however Saucy had lost the strategic advantage from his pit stop. He did well to maintain the lead for as long as he did but was eventually dropped back to finish fifth on the road but was promoted to fourth after a post-race penalty was handed to one of his rivals.
“It should have been a podium finish for the #59 crew. The drivers did a great job, battling at the front and I know there is lots more great racing in store from them this season. For the #95, it was a weekend of highs and devastating lows. Josh did a fantastic lap, putting down that time in Qualifying and making up ground at the start of the race. The gearbox issue was a tough way to end. The thought, time and effort that is being invested into this programme is evidently clear, with huge steps forward since Qatar and Imola.”
Richard Dean, CEO, United Autosports
“We’ve made further progress and demonstrated that we have race-winning pace. This weekend there was a genuine chance of a podium, and everyone at United Autosports and McLaren was disappointed that that it didn’t happen due to circumstances beyond our control. That only goes to show the stage we are at now, and it only spurs us on to achieve more next time, when we make our return to Le Mans.
“The car is quick, the drivers are more than capable; and with our partners at United Autosports we should be on the top step very soon.”
Mick McDonagh, Director of MSO Motorsport, McLaren Automotive