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McLaren racing’s bold leap into GTP: CEO Zak Brown fuels excitement for IMSA future

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
February 1, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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McLaren racing’s bold leap into GTP: CEO Zak Brown fuels excitement for IMSA future

McLaren Racing Sets Sights on GTP Class: A Bold Move in IMSA!

In a thrilling announcement that could shake up the world of sports car racing, McLaren Racing’s CEO, Zak Brown, has voiced his enthusiastic intent to dive into the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This revelation unfolded during an electrifying media roundtable ahead of the iconic 64th Rolex 24 At Daytona, where racing legends converge for an adrenaline-fueled showdown.

Brown, flanked by the McLaren Hypercar Team Principal James Barclay and Richard Dean, co-owner of United Autosports, reaffirmed the British automotive giant’s strong ambition to make its mark in IMSA. Since the inception of McLaren’s top-tier prototype program, Brown has consistently emphasized this goal, and his recent comments underscore a robust commitment to joining the elite ranks of sports car competition.

“Let’s get WEC (FIA World Endurance Championship) up and running first, and our desire to be in IMSA is very high,” Brown declared with palpable enthusiasm. His strategy mirrors McLaren’s past successes, where careful planning and execution led to triumphs in Formula 1 and IndyCar before eyeing the prestigious World Endurance Championship. “It’s one step at a time; no different from others,” he added, signaling a methodical approach to their racing ambitions.

The racing legacy of McLaren is not just about aspirations; it’s about history. Brown reminisced about the 2018 Rolex 24, where he introduced two McLaren Formula 1 drivers—two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso and the rising star Lando Norris—to the event as part of United Autosports’ Ligier LMP2 team. The young Norris and Phil Hanson made waves with their impressive performances, with Norris now a World Champion and Hanson celebrated for his recent overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ferrari 499P.

With McLaren Automotive gearing up to return to the WeatherTech Championship in 2026 with a Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) entry, the anticipation is palpable. The RLL Team McLaren will be fielding the No. 59 McLaren 720S GT3 EVO, showcasing a lineup of promising rookies eager to make their mark on the track.

Meanwhile, the excitement surrounding the Rolex 24 At Daytona continued as United Autosports aimed for consecutive victories in the fiercely competitive Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class. With two formidable entries, the Nos. 2 and 22 ORECA LMP2 07s, the team featured a mix of experienced and new drivers, including Daniel Goldburg, Rasmus Lindh, and the talented Gregoire Saucy, ready to tackle the challenge head-on.

Despite a challenging race, the RLL Team McLaren overcame a tire pressure monitoring sensor issue to secure a respectable 12th place finish in GTD PRO, impressively starting from the front row. United’s efforts in LMP2 saw the No. 22 car finishing fourth and the No. 2 car in tenth, showcasing the team’s resilience and competitive spirit.

Zak Brown isn’t just a spectator; he’s a seasoned racer himself, having participated in the recent Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) IMSA Classic event, where he piloted the legendary ex-Tom Walkinshaw Racing 1990 No. 61 Jaguar XJR-16.

As McLaren Racing prepares for a bold new chapter in GTP, motorsport fans and competitors alike are left buzzing with anticipation. Will McLaren’s ambition translate into success on the track? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the racing world is watching closely as this iconic brand gears up for a thrilling new era.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-football-season2025-imsa-weathertech-sportscar-championshiparrow-mclaren-racingFernando AlonsoLando NorrisUnited AutosportsZak Brown
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