McLaren Motorsport has unveiled an enhanced and expanded GT racing driver roster for the 2025 season, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing top-tier racing talent. The programme now boasts eleven drivers across three tiers, from promising young talents to seasoned professionals, all poised to drive McLaren’s competitive edge in GT racing.
McLaren Factory Drivers: A New Era of Leadership
Leading the charge in 2025 are five McLaren Factory Drivers, a mix of experienced professionals and rising stars. With Rob Bell stepping into his new role as Sporting Director, Marvin Kirchhöfer, 30, takes the mantle as the longest-serving driver in the line-up. The German ace is joined by returning Briton Dean MacDonald, 24, who continues to build on his impressive career with McLaren.
A key highlight of the refreshed line-up is the promotion of German-Danish racer Benjamin Goethe, 21, who ascends from Junior Pro status to Factory Driver. He is joined by two accomplished French drivers: Arthur Rougier, 24, a former French F4 champion with a strong GT racing background, and Simon Gachet, 31, whose accolades include a GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup title and a victorious campaign in the FIA Motorsport Games GT Cup.
Junior Pro Drivers: The Next Generation of Champions
The McLaren Junior Pro Driver category features three talented young racers who will receive direct mentorship from the Factory Drivers as they refine their craft. Germany’s Ben Dörr, 19, a multi-time German karting champion, has already showcased his potential in the DTM, racing a McLaren GT3 EVO with Dörr Motorsport.
Britain’s Adam Smalley, 23, joins the programme following a stellar debut season in the 2024 British GT Championship, where he secured third place overall with Garage 59’s McLaren GT3 EVO. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Joseph Loake, the 2023 Autosport BRDC Award winner, transitions full-time to GT racing after competing in FIA Formula 3 last season.
Graduate Drivers: Rising Stars with Proven Talent
In the McLaren Graduate Driver category, three drivers will continue their development within the McLaren ecosystem. Josh Rattican, 20, reigning European GT4 Series Silver champion, returns after an impressive campaign in the Artura GT4 with Elite Motorsport. Fellow Briton Aston Millar, 20, reaffirms his position in the programme following strong performances in the 2023 British GT Championship.
Spain’s Tommy Pintos, 19, earns his place after clinching the inaugural McLaren Trophy title in 2023 alongside Gonzalo De Andres. His consistent success in the championship led to an invitation from Bell for a driver assessment, securing his spot in McLaren’s driver pathway.
McLaren Trophy Academy: A Pipeline for Future Factory Drivers
McLaren is also introducing the McLaren Trophy Academy, an initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of Factory Drivers. Silver-ranked competitors from the McLaren Trophy series will gain access to expert coaching and guidance, with the most promising talents having the opportunity to progress through the ranks, following in the footsteps of Tommy Pintos.
Leadership Perspective: A Bold Vision for 2025
Ian James, Director of Motorsport at McLaren Automotive, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded line-up:
“I’m delighted to welcome Arthur, Simon, Adam, Joseph, and Tommy to the McLaren family, and to see Aston return as we expand our line-up to 11 drivers. We have a formidable squad of Factory Drivers leading the way, and with Rob Bell as Sporting Director, our young talents will benefit immensely from his expertise. These drivers have already demonstrated their capabilities in junior championships, and we look forward to their continued growth.”
Rob Bell, newly appointed Sporting Director, echoed this sentiment:
“This group represents a strong mix of current and future talent for McLaren Motorsport. Dean’s journey through the ranks exemplifies our programme’s success, and Tommy’s promotion from McLaren Trophy to the factory team is exactly what we aim for—identifying and nurturing talent through our structured development pathway. It’s an exciting roster, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve this season.”
With a well-rounded team of seasoned professionals, ambitious juniors, and a clear development pathway, McLaren Motorsport is set to make a formidable impact on the GT racing scene in 2025.
