Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Enters New Era with McLaren Collaboration for 2026 IMSA Season
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) has officially confirmed its driver lineup for the newly formed RLL Team McLaren ahead of the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This multi-year partnership will see Max Esterson and Nikita Johnson taking on full-season responsibilities in the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) Pro class, piloting the No. 59 McLaren GT3 EVO.
In a noteworthy expansion, Dean MacDonald and Jüri Vips will also join the team for the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona. Their involvement follows a successful IMSA test at Daytona International Speedway in November 2025, which allowed the drivers to acclimate to the McLaren GT3 machine.
Jüri Vips, a former Red Bull reserve driver with three IndyCar starts under his belt, expressed eagerness about his debut at the Rolex 24. “I’m excited to get my first taste of endurance racing… The test went well; there were no big hiccups,” Vips stated. He highlighted the learning curve associated with transitioning to GT3 racing.
The 2026 Rolex 24, scheduled for January 21-25, marks McLaren Automotive’s return to the GTD Pro category—a field that includes notable competitors such as Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.
Max Esterson, who competed in Formula 2 last year, remarked on the significance of his switch to IMSA racing: “After racing in single seaters my whole career… it’s a very big and exciting new chapter for me.” The 25-year-old made his initial IMSA appearance in late 2025 at Petit Le Mans with JDC-Miller Motorsports.
Nikita Johnson, 17, also expressed his enthusiasm about contributing to the new McLaren era within RLL. “I am very happy and honored to help build… I’m especially excited to start it all off in Daytona,” noted the Florida native.
The 2026 season also signifies a fresh beginning for RLL in IMSA, previously partnered with BMW Motorsport from 2009 to 2025. Both MacDonald and Vips will be making their debut at the Daytona 24-hour race, fostering hope for a competitive outing. MacDonald expressed confidence in the team’s potential, saying, “I believe we can go into the race challenging for a win in the GTD PRO class.”
The team is set to further hone its competitive edge during the Roar Before the Rolex 24, scheduled for January 16-18.
