In the high-stakes theatre of endurance racing, every point matters — and at the second round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), United Autosports proved once again why consistency is the cornerstone of a championship campaign. Despite a circuit layout that played against the natural strengths of the McLaren GT3 EVO, the #95 entry battled to a determined points finish at the legendary Imola circuit, underlining both strategic acumen and racing resilience.
A Strategic Drive at a Historic Venue
Set against the backdrop of the iconic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari near Bologna, Imola presented a challenging canvas for the McLaren GT3 EVO. With its tight corners, technical demands, and emphasis on traction over top-end speed, it’s a track that favours a different kind of GT3 machinery. Yet, undeterred by the odds, United Autosports delivered a commendable performance in qualifying, securing fourth and fifth fastest times, and earning both entries a coveted spot in the Hyperpole top ten shoot-out.
Drivers Sean Gelael and Seb Baud continued to push in the final shoot-out, ultimately securing eighth and ninth positions on the grid for the six-hour race. The foundation was set, but the real challenge was still to come.
Race Craft and Fuel Strategy
Knowing that outright pace alone would not be enough, the team opted for a fuel-saving strategy in the early stages — a decision that initially paid off. By reducing their pit stop commitments, both McLaren GT3 EVOs were poised to benefit later in the race. However, a mid-race Safety Car neutralised much of the hard-won strategic advantage, compressing the field and forcing the team to adapt on the fly.
Despite this setback, the drivers remained composed, executing clean stints and maximising the car’s potential in less-than-ideal conditions. The #95 car crossed the line to secure two valuable championship points — a modest but crucial reward in a race where fortune was not entirely on their side.
Eyes on Spa
Speaking after the race, United Autosports CEO Richard Dean acknowledged the challenges the team faced:
“This weekend was tougher than expected, but we came to Imola with realistic goals as this circuit doesn’t play to the strengths of the McLaren GT3 EVO. James Cottingham and Darren Leung were particularly impressive this weekend – their qualifying performances were top tier. Thank you to the team as always, I’m looking forward to what we can achieve in Spa.”
Echoing the sentiment, Ian James, Director of Motorsport at McLaren Automotive, highlighted the strategic value of the finish:
“Having shown race-winning pace in Qatar, we knew the Imola circuit would be a trickier prospect for the McLaren GT3 EVO. Fighting for a championship is all about taking points when you can, and that’s exactly what the drivers of the 95 car did. It’s Spa next and we came close to winning last year, so we’re optimistic it will suit us better and we can once again challenge at the front.”
Looking Ahead
With the points earned at Imola, the #95 McLaren GT3 EVO moves to third in the championship standings, while its sister car holds ninth — a strong position heading into the third round at Spa-Francorchamps. Known for its sweeping corners and elevation changes, Spa is a track that plays much more to the McLaren’s strengths. If history is anything to go by, United Autosports will arrive in Belgium not just looking to compete — but to contend for victory.
As the 2025 FIA WEC season gains momentum, it’s clear that United Autosports and McLaren are in the fight for the long haul — smart, strategic, and always pushing forward.
