Marino Sato Secures Historic Win for United Autosports at COTA
In a landmark performance at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Marino Sato drove the #95 McLaren LMGT3 Evo to victory, marking the first World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMGT3 win for both United Autosports and McLaren. This achievement comes three decades after Masanori Sekiya’s pivotal role in securing McLaren’s inaugural Le Mans 24 Hours victory.
Sato’s triumph was significantly influenced by a strategic gamble on slick tires during a challenging race that saw fluctuating weather conditions. Making the final pit stop with approximately 34 minutes remaining, Sato faced critical decisions regarding tire choice. “That tyre strategy at the end was ultimately the right call,” he remarked post-race, acknowledging the difficult discussion about whether to switch to slicks or remain on wet tires. Initial struggles in grip for the slicks looked concerning, but as the track dried, Sato’s confidence grew.
In decisive moments, Sato executed precise overtakes, notably maneuvering around the #77 Proton Competition Mustang and the #92 Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche, propelling him to second place and allowing him to contend for the lead against Davide Rigon. He successfully defended against Kelvin van der Linde in the #46 Team WRT BMW, showcasing his composure under pressure.
Ultimately, the race was decided post-event when the #54 Vista AF Corse Ferrari received a five-second penalty for causing an avoidable collision, handing the victory to Sato and his co-drivers, Darren Leung and Sean Gelael. This win also marked the first for a Japanese driver in the WEC GT class since Keita Sawa’s victory at Silverstone in 2017.
Sato expressed gratitude for his team’s preparation and strategy, acknowledging the effort that culminated in this breakthrough success. “I feel like we’ve finally managed to showcase it,” he concluded, emphasizing the importance of this victory for both himself and the team.
With this performance, Sato is poised to solidify his status as a formidable competitor in GT racing, making the 2025 Lone Star Le Mans a pivotal moment in his career trajectory.
Key Results:
- Winner: #95 United Autosports McLaren LMGT3 Evo (Marino Sato)
- Second Place: #54 Vista AF Corse Ferrari (post-race penalty applied)
- Third Place: #77 Proton Competition Mustang
This race not only underscores Sato’s potential but also signifies a new chapter for McLaren in GT racing within the WEC framework.
