McLaren, in collaboration with its racing partner United Autosports, unveiled the two 720S GT3 EVO cars set to compete in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This marks McLaren’s inaugural participation in the WEC, particularly in the new LM GT3 class, with a schedule that notably includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans — a race the brand last entered in 1998.
What’s even more significant is the numbers featured on the livery of the vehicles, namely #59 and #95, which pay homage to the automotive brand’s debut victory at the 1995 Le Mans with car #59.
The design of the 720S GT3 EVO is a striking mix of satin and high gloss black, with the rear and certain aerodynamic features accented in the iconic McLaren Papaya. This color scheme is not just a nod to the company’s heritage but also distinguishes the cars in a field where visibility is key.
The driver lineup for the 2024 season has been confirmed, showcasing an international roster with Gregoire Saucy, James Cottingham and Nicolas Costa behind the wheel of the #59 car and Marino Sato, Nico Pino and Josh Caygill piloting the #95. The season kicks off in Qatar on March 2, embarking on a global circuit that includes stops in Europe, the Americas and Asia, concluding in Bahrain in November.
McLaren’s CEO, Michael Leiters, expressed pride in joining the WEC, stating “Racing is intrinsic to the McLaren brand and the WEC is the perfect arena to demonstrate the performance capabilities of our supercar engineering programs. We are also pleased to celebrate our victory in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans with our livery, which is a hugely important part of McLaren history.”
This same sentiment was echoed by Richard Dean, CEO of United Autosports, who highlighted the livery’s deep roots in racing heritage and its alignment with McLaren’s current racing endeavors.
