McLaren Expands Trophy Series to Asia-Pacific
Daytona, FL — McLaren Automotive has announced plans to extend its McLaren Trophy series to the Asia-Pacific region, targeting a global platform for the one-make racing series. This expansion, articulated by Giorgio Sanna, head of motorsport, aims to align the series with existing European and American events and mirror the success of competitors like Lamborghini.
The McLaren Trophy, which utilizes the Artura Trophy Evo, debuted in Europe in 2023 and was introduced in America in 2024. Sanna emphasized, “We are targeting to create and develop a global platform for the Trophy,” highlighting the strategic importance of establishing the series in Asia-Pacific.
While the Asia-Pacific series is still in early development, Sanna has indicated that partnerships, particularly with SRO, are being explored. “SRO is very strategic for us… by July, we will announce a lot of news regarding the Trophy that will be very, very exciting,” he noted.
Future Plans and Growth Strategy
Changes to the McLaren Trophy calendar may reflect a greater focus on high-profile events. The series has previously supported major endurance races, including the 24 Hours of Spa. In 2026, McLaren will again align its European series with this prestigious event, while the American series will feature at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix this year.
Grid sizes for the McLaren Trophy in Europe and America averaged mid-teens in 2025. Sanna aims to double these figures, stating, “The target in the medium term is to have at least around 30 cars on the grid in each Trophy series.” The growth strategy includes adding more customer teams, with an announcement of new entrants, such as Target Racing, confirmed for the European series in 2026.
Transitioning Talent and Resources
Significantly, McLaren plans to phase out its GT4 program to reallocate resources towards expanding the Trophy series. Additionally, a “McLaren Trophy Academy” will be established to support selected drivers, facilitating their progression to GT3 racing. Sanna remarked, “The Trophy is crucial from the strategy point of view,” stressing its role as a developmental platform not only for drivers but also for emerging customer teams.
The McLaren Trophy has already demonstrated its effectiveness as a talent incubator, with graduates like 2025 champion Jayden Kelly transitioning to the McLaren GT3 Junior Driver program.
As McLaren prepares for this ambitious expansion, the focus remains on building a comprehensive and competitive racing environment across multiple continents over the next few years.
