McLaren Enters FIA WEC with New Line-Up for Garage 59
LONDON – McLaren has unveiled its driver lineup for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), marking a significant shift in strategy as it partners with British team Garage 59, which replaces United Autosports as its LMGT3 representative.
The restructuring aligns with McLaren’s focus on its forthcoming LMDh program, which will allow the brand to debut a Hypercar in 2027. All drivers from United Autosports’ 2025 roster will not continue with Garage 59.
Driver Lineup Highlights:
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Car #10: Factory driver Marvin Kirchhöfer will be joined by rookies Thomas Fleming and Antares Au. Kirchhöfer, who previously raced for Garage 59 in the GT World Challenge Europe, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming challenges, especially his debut at Le Mans: “I’m excited for this new chapter… I cannot wait to get started with Tom and Antares.”
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Fleming, 23, has shown promise in various championships, including a nomination for the ACO’s FIA WEC Rookie Test.
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Au, the reigning Asian Le Mans Series GT drivers’ champion, will be the team’s Bronze-rated driver, bringing experience from racing predominantly Porsche machinery.
Additional Entries:
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The #58 McLaren LMGT3 Evo features Garage 59 co-owner Alexander West, alongside Benjamin Goethe and Finn Gehrsitz. West, making a full-season return, emphasized the significance of this venture: “Taking Garage 59 into the FIA World Endurance Championship is a milestone moment for everyone involved.”
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Goethe, having raced for Garage 59 for three years, will be the second in his family to tackle the 24 Hours of Le Mans, following his father. Gehrsitz has previous experience in the WEC, delivering strong performances in the 2025 season.
Upcoming Season:
The 2026 FIA WEC season kicks off at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar, with the Qatar 1812KM scheduled for 26-28 March 2026. Garage 59’s entry into this high-profile series reflects a strategic move aimed at enhancing McLaren’s competitive edge in endurance racing.
This comprehensive change marks a pivotal moment in McLaren’s motorsport journey as it aims to leverage Garage 59’s capabilities in pursuit of success in the FIA WEC.
