McLaren Automotive and its racing partner United Autosports once again demonstrated the formidable pace of the McLaren GT3 EVO during the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Six Hours of Fuji. Despite qualifying both cars in the top five and showing race-leading potential, an untimely safety car intervention left the team settling for eighth and seventeenth place finishes.
Promising Start to the Fuji Round
The weekend kicked off with high expectations, as both McLaren GT3 EVO cars (#59 and #95) exhibited competitive speed during practice. Japanese driver Marino Sato impressed in the opening session, setting a strong pace. The team carried this momentum into the Hyperpole qualifying, with the #59 car, driven by James Cottingham, securing third place on the grid, while Josh Caygill positioned the #95 car in fifth.
When the race began, both McLarens made immediate progress. Cottingham and Caygill skillfully navigated the bustling field, placing the #59 car in second and the #95 in third by the end of the opening laps. However, the fortunes of the two cars would soon diverge.
Mixed Fortunes for the McLaren Duo
The #95 McLaren GT3 EVO, driven by Caygill, appeared to have the pace to challenge for a top finish, but an early issue caused the car to fall off the lead lap. Despite the best efforts of team-mates Nico Pino and Sato, the #95 would ultimately finish in a distant seventeenth place after a challenging stint.
Meanwhile, the #59 car was locked in a fierce battle for the lead. On lap 56, Nicolas Costa expertly took control of the LMGT3 field, establishing a commanding lead. The car maintained its advantage, surrendering only briefly during scheduled pit stops. However, a late safety car period proved pivotal. With just 45 minutes remaining, the race became a close-fought contest, as the top three cars were separated by mere seconds.
Late Setback Denies Podium Finish
Unfortunately, the late safety car intervention neutralised the hard-earned lead of the #59 car. Gregoire Saucy, now behind the wheel, faced a stiff challenge from rivals on fresher tyres in the closing stages. As tyre degradation set in, Saucy found it increasingly difficult to hold his position, resulting in a disappointing eighth-place finish for the #59 car.
Looking Ahead to the Bahrain Finale
The Fuji result is a frustrating one for McLaren and United Autosports, who had displayed such promise throughout the weekend. However, team leaders remain optimistic about the season’s finale at Bahrain in six weeks’ time.
Richard Dean, CEO of United Autosports, reflected on the weekend’s disappointment: “It’s tough for the #95 crew, who performed flawlessly but were taken out of contention early on. And for the #59, leading most of the race only to be undone by a safety car is equally frustrating. But we’re focusing on ending the season on a high in Bahrain.”
Mick McDonagh, Director of MSO Motorsport at McLaren Automotive, echoed the sentiment: “It’s pleasing to see the pure pace of the car and that we are fighting for podiums at this level. After six hours of racing, it all came down to seconds between first and tenth, but I really do think it’s a case of when, not if, that we will be victorious.”
With Bahrain marking the final race of the 2024 season, the McLaren GT3 EVO team will aim to translate their front-running potential into a long-awaited victory.
